David Storl became world champion twice, but things haven’t been going well in recent years: Now the athlete is ending his career.
Two-time shot put world champion David Storl has officially ended his long-standing career.
As the German Athletics Association announced, the 33-year-old Storl will be farewelled on Friday as part of the shot put competition at the German indoor championships in Leipzig. The SC DHfK Leipzig athlete’s last competition was 20 months ago.
Herniated disc marked the end
After his herniated disc in 2021, things became difficult, Storl said in the statement, emphasizing: “At some point, what you risk is no longer in proportion to what you can gain.” In 2011, he became the youngest shot put world champion in Daegu, South Korea, with a height of 21.78 meters and defended the title two years later in Moscow. The Saxon collected a total of 19 international medals and was one of the figureheads of German athletics for many years.
“I’m very satisfied, I’ve achieved quite a lot,” emphasized Storl. He enjoyed life as an athlete: “It was really nice, you have so many opportunities and freedom.” The family is now the focus, Storl’s wife is expecting their fourth child. “I am most grateful to my wife and children for supporting and accompanying me on this journey,” he emphasized.
Other technology is celebrating success
The 2012 Olympic silver medalist was also European champion four times, including outdoors three times in a row. However, in recent years the rotary pushers have dominated the action, while Storl stuck to the usual planing technique. The last international podium finish was in 2019 with second place at the European Indoor Championships.
The federal police officer won his last of 19 German championship titles in 2022 at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin with 20.32 meters. He achieved his best distance in 2015 with 22.20 meters, and the world record held by the American Ryan Crouser is now 23.56 meters.
He will accompany the competitions on Friday (5:55 p.m.) at the national indoor championships as a co-commentator in the live stream of the German Athletics Association (leichtathletik.de and YouTube).