This is awesome! Merlin Hummel gave the German team the third medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. After Malaika Mihambo (long jump) and Amanal Petros (marathon) there was also silver for the hammer thrower.
Hummel was so amazed at his competition that he could not seriously end it. When Mykhaylo Kokhan (Ukraine) did not exceed its best size of 82.02 meters and bronze was certain, the DLV athlete beamed and made the windshield wiper according to the motto: “Well, I spider?!” And this unbelief grew, because Bence Halasz (Hungary) could no longer top his 82.69 meters – so it remained in second place for Hummel.
Hummel: “I am shocked by the competition in a positive sense”
The 23-year-old had made 82.77 meters in the first attempt to take the lead in the meantime. It was not enough for gold because Ethan Katzberg (Canada) crowned a great competition with the fifth largest throw in the history of the discipline over 84.70 meters – but Hummel was no longer entitled to. In the last attempt he could have tried again, but he only threw the hammer half -heartedly on the lawn to be able to start as quickly as possible.
“I can’t believe it yet. I’m just grateful and I don’t even know what to say”said Hummel, who spent a lot of time in the stadium after the competition and opened the moment in the sports show interview. “You have to enjoy something like that, all the competition and everything afterwards, that was great. I am shocked by the competition in a positive sense.”
Hummel amazes his competition directly
Halasz had already opened the fight for the medals with the second throw of the entire competition. The Hungarian presented a top width at 81.51 meters, but his biggest competitor countered. Katzberg hurled the hammer directly to Halasz to 82.66 meters, the two favorites delivered directly to the start. But then Hummel really hit one.
The hammer throwing shooting star had been the first German for 28 years to crack the 80-meter brand, screwed its best up to 81.27 meters and thrown himself into the top of the world-but what he conjured up in the ring during his first attempt was extremely astonishing.
The plan was actually a “relaxed” start
Hummel exceeded Halasz and Katzberg, threw himself in first place with 82.77 meters. He increased his personal top width by 1.5 meters. “I actually wanted to make a relaxed throw, but then I realized that it was really good. That was a shock for the others, I think. And for me a really good start to the competition”said Hummel.
Instead of freaking out, the 23-year-old took the best litter of his career calmly, did not cheer and was looking for a conversation with his trainer. Hummel is known for his analytical way, the student of applied artificial intelligence has developed an app that takes a close look at its litters. Now it was the dialogue with his coach, which might have to push him further – because Hummel also knew that the competition would not give up.
Katzberg can be driven by Hummel to the best performance
And Katzberg demonstrated that, which in his second attempt was clearly increasing again. The Canadian top favorite threw itself back to the top at 84.70 meters – and although it was already world champion and Olympic champion, he was driven by Hummel to his personal best at that moment. He also set up a World Cup record.
The German now had to reach his career goal for gold. He has a cup with the number 85, which should show him every day that he wants to exceed the 85-meter brand. But was that really possible in Tokyo? First of all, Hummel confirmed his strong shape, giving the impression that he was dissatisfied with his 80.71 meters in the second attempt.
Halasz comes up to a few centimeters of Hummel
But then Hummel was lucky that Halasz increased significantly, but was taking the teeth on the vastness of the runner -up. With 82.69 meters, the previous world year’s best stamped to eight centimeters. And it stayed that way – whereby Hummel confirmed its strong series. In the fourth attempt he made 82.14 meters, before Tokyo it would have been the best performance of his career.
Finally, the decision was made in the last round because the three top thrower could not increase – the gold width of Katzberg seemed unreachable. Mykhaylo Kokhan came close to the trio at 82.02 meters, but the medals were awarded. While Hummel was already shining and shook his head in disbelief, Halasz ended the competition with an invalid attempt – silver was certain.
But did more work? No, Hummel no longer tried it, but threw the ball away easily – the competition was already successful enough for him. “I thought that Katzberg will be unbeatable. When I saw that I had silver, it was just enjoyed”said the third German medalist of this World Cup.