Südstadt – Exactly two months before the Olympic competition in Tokyo, one of Austria's greatest hopes for a medal for the Summer Games is currently still quite relaxed. Discus thrower Lukas Weißhaidinger gave his 68.40 m width at the start of the season around two weeks ago in Eisenstadt. Next Monday in Turku, his level of performance will be put to the test for the first time since the outbreak of the corona pandemic, including in an international comparison.
In any case, Weißhaidinger sees the framework for a good season in place, and he set it up together with his coach Gregor Högler. Before the trip to Finland at the Liese-Prokop Memorial on Thursday in St. Pölten, the duo are focusing more on technology, then in Scandinavia it is primarily about a good performance in a direct duel with the toughest competitors. “This will be the first real showdown,” said Weißhaidinger, describing the importance of Turku.
The only really important thing for him is the Olympics – the Diamond League appearances on July 1st in Oslo and on July 4th in Stockholm, which tend to come out of training, don't come close either. Of course, participating in the final meeting in Zurich in September is also a wish of the 29-year-old: “I would like to throw in the Letzigrund Stadium once.” Before that, after the EM and World Cup bronze, the Rio sixth in 2016 should also be at least third at the Olympic level.
However, the density at the top of the world has increased during the Corona period. “Ten athletes move within one and a half percent,” said Högler on Monday at a media meeting on the pitch of the BSFZ Südstadt. “That will also be the daily constitution.” Weißhaidinger used to put it even more drastically: “It will be an absolute slaughter for the medals, the quality has increased insanely.” Högler emphasized that 22 athletes have already thrown over 65 m this year.
Whilst Weisshaidinger had set the world best of the year in Eisenstadt, less than two weeks later he was overtaken by some of the active players. In front of them is Daniel Stahl, the ÖLV athlete will meet the world champion in Turku. Even the Swede will have to be wary of the increased competition in the Olympic qualification on July 30th, Weisshaidinger all the more. Because the elimination for the top 12 final the next day was not his best friend, said the Upper Austrian.
The worst day
Several times at major events, he had just made it ascent, but this time there should be no doubts. “It will be a must this time to throw the qualification a lot more focused than in the last few years,” explained Weißhaidinger. “I can't imagine that you can go further with 63 m.” Högler really fears the qualification: “It's always the worst day for me. This time he has to hit it right, throw the qualifying distance and then leave.”
The ex-javelin thrower takes pleasure in exploring limits with his protégé in training and thus gaining a permitted advantage as far as possible. “If you want to throw new widths or records, you have to go new ways. It's a dance on the knife edge,” explained the 48-year-old. “I always vacillate between euphoria and caution. It is important to develop the technique further. We have taken steps again that let him (Weißhaidinger, note) throw more consistently.”
One of the training modules is the cold chamber that Weißhaidinger visits for a few minutes every day; temperatures down to minus 110 degrees have a positive effect on regeneration. Högler: “This is the Rolls Royce of the cold.” On the other hand, the analysis of every training throw by eight biomechanical cameras offers professional conditions. “Luki throws a technique that no one else throws,” said Högler, explaining the importance of the system, as financed by the Ministry of Sports for the cold chamber.
Because of different levers than other top athletes, Weisshaidinger has to rely more on the strength and dynamics of his legs, the focus in the throw is particularly important. “The normal, classic discus throwing is not the way we win,” explained Högler. But this technology carries a certain risk. “He can win with it, but also come twelfth.” Of course, one is fully prepared. Rain during the competition would throw others off course, not Weisshaidinger.
Weißhaidinger and Högler won't notice what the weather will be like in the Japanese capital until two days before qualifying. Because the duo will not land in Tokyo until July 28th. “I think it's extremely good to arrive shortly beforehand,” said Högler. “Then it seems logistically very complicated, you don't have to expose the athletes to that for too long.” The risk of corona infection is also minimized. Before leaving, both will go to a self-selected quarantine. (APA, May 31, 2021)
