Germany's Sebastian Bayer flies out to the second best indoor long jump of all time (© Getty Images)
Sebastian Bayer took the Long Jump at the German Indoor Championships and seems to be ready to defend his title at the European Championships next weekend in Paris.
It was at these championships two years ago, when Bayer sensationally flew to a European indoor record of 8.71m. In Leipzig on Sunday (27) he was quite a bit short of that, but after jumping 8.02m Bayer was confident that he will do better in Paris.
While Thomas Schneider showed great form when winning the 400m in 46.19 seconds, Sebastian Ernst broke the national 200 m record with a time of 20.42.
The men’s events produced almost all the headlines at the two day (26-27) championships in Leipzig.
Men’s events
While the European Champion from Barcelona 2010, Christian Reif, was not competing due to injury, Bayer opened his competition with 7.92m. In the next round he improved his season’s best to 8.02m. Then Bayer took only one more jump, reaching 7.85m in round five.
“The minimum I wanted to achieve today was jumping eight metres. I did this, so I am satisfied,” said Bayer, adding, “I have trained hard in the past week. So I should be able to do better in Paris, where my goal will be to defend my title.” As in Turin two years ago he will be joined by Nils Winter, who had won the silver medal behind Bayer in 2009. Winter improved his season’s best to 7.92m, taking second place and snatching the ticket to Paris at the last moment.
In the 200m, which is not contested any more at major international indoor championships, Alexander Kosenkow had set a fast time of 20.65 seconds in the first of two races. But Ernst responded strongly in the second race clocking 20.42 to break the national record of Tobias Unger of 20.53 set in 2005. “It was a perfect race for me –I thought before that either I would do it today or never,” Ernst said.
There may be German medal hopes next weekend in the 400m, where Schneider dominated the race. He clocked a fine 46.19 while David Gollnow took second with 46.89. “I am surprised by my time and look forward to finding out what will be possible in Paris next week. It would be a dream to reach the final,” said Schneider.
As expected Raul Spank dominated the High Jump. He was the only one competing when the bar went up to 2.30m. Spank cleared this height at his second attempt and then went for 2.34m. But after he had missed twice he retired from competition because of some pain in his heel.
So often the highlight of the championships in former years, Saturday’s men’s Pole Vault competition could not match former standards. Malte Mohr dominated the event. A first time clearance of 5.65m was enough to secure the title from his experienced training partner Tim Lobinger (5.60m). Mohr then went for 5.80m, but his three attempts were not successful.
There was a slight upset in the Shot Put, where David Storl beat defending champion Ralf Bartels. The experienced Bartels had taken the lead in round one with 20.68m, but in the fourth round the 20-year-old World junior record holder responded with 20.70m. This was enough to snatch the title. Marco Schmid was third with 20.41. “I was a bit lucky today, because I know that Ralf should have done better – I have seen that in training,” said Storl, who competed indoors for the first time this season. An illness kept him from training until just before Christmas.
In the 5000m Race Walk Christopher Linke clocked 19:19.45.
Women’s events
European 100 m sprint champion Verena Sailer won the 60m in Leipzig with 7.28 from Leena Günther (7.34). Sailer had been slightly quicker in the semi-final where she clocked 7.25. “I would have liked to run a bit faster, but I am happy with the title,” said Verena Sailer. “I have won the bronze medal at the European indoors two years ago and I am targeting this medal again next week.”
After an injury prevented her from competing at the meetings in Düsseldorf and Karlsruhe Carolin Nytra came back winning. Taking the 60m Hurdles in 7.93 she was ahead of Cindy Roleder (8.03).
Similar to the men’s event the women’s Pole Vault also lacked some thrill. This was partly due to the illness of Silke Spiegelburg, who could not compete in Leipzig. Clearing 4.65m at her second attempt Lisa Ryzih took the title from Kristina Gadschiew (4.60m) and Martina Strutz (4.55m).
In the Triple Jump Katja Demut won with 14.20m while Christina Schwanitz took the Shot Put with 18.87m, which equalled the world lead. “One good attempt still is enough,” said Schwanitz, whose second best effort in the competition was 17.55m.
Sabine Krantz took the 3000 m walk with 12:18.12.
Jörg Wenig for the IAAF
Click here for FULL Results
It was at these championships two years ago, when Bayer sensationally flew to a European indoor record of 8.71m. In Leipzig on Sunday (27) he was quite a bit short of that, but after jumping 8.02m Bayer was confident that he will do better in Paris.
While Thomas Schneider showed great form when winning the 400m in 46.19 seconds, Sebastian Ernst broke the national 200 m record with a time of 20.42.
The men’s events produced almost all the headlines at the two day (26-27) championships in Leipzig.
Men’s events
While the European Champion from Barcelona 2010, Christian Reif, was not competing due to injury, Bayer opened his competition with 7.92m. In the next round he improved his season’s best to 8.02m. Then Bayer took only one more jump, reaching 7.85m in round five.
“The minimum I wanted to achieve today was jumping eight metres. I did this, so I am satisfied,” said Bayer, adding, “I have trained hard in the past week. So I should be able to do better in Paris, where my goal will be to defend my title.” As in Turin two years ago he will be joined by Nils Winter, who had won the silver medal behind Bayer in 2009. Winter improved his season’s best to 7.92m, taking second place and snatching the ticket to Paris at the last moment.
In the 200m, which is not contested any more at major international indoor championships, Alexander Kosenkow had set a fast time of 20.65 seconds in the first of two races. But Ernst responded strongly in the second race clocking 20.42 to break the national record of Tobias Unger of 20.53 set in 2005. “It was a perfect race for me –I thought before that either I would do it today or never,” Ernst said.
There may be German medal hopes next weekend in the 400m, where Schneider dominated the race. He clocked a fine 46.19 while David Gollnow took second with 46.89. “I am surprised by my time and look forward to finding out what will be possible in Paris next week. It would be a dream to reach the final,” said Schneider.
As expected Raul Spank dominated the High Jump. He was the only one competing when the bar went up to 2.30m. Spank cleared this height at his second attempt and then went for 2.34m. But after he had missed twice he retired from competition because of some pain in his heel.
So often the highlight of the championships in former years, Saturday’s men’s Pole Vault competition could not match former standards. Malte Mohr dominated the event. A first time clearance of 5.65m was enough to secure the title from his experienced training partner Tim Lobinger (5.60m). Mohr then went for 5.80m, but his three attempts were not successful.
There was a slight upset in the Shot Put, where David Storl beat defending champion Ralf Bartels. The experienced Bartels had taken the lead in round one with 20.68m, but in the fourth round the 20-year-old World junior record holder responded with 20.70m. This was enough to snatch the title. Marco Schmid was third with 20.41. “I was a bit lucky today, because I know that Ralf should have done better – I have seen that in training,” said Storl, who competed indoors for the first time this season. An illness kept him from training until just before Christmas.
In the 5000m Race Walk Christopher Linke clocked 19:19.45.
Women’s events
European 100 m sprint champion Verena Sailer won the 60m in Leipzig with 7.28 from Leena Günther (7.34). Sailer had been slightly quicker in the semi-final where she clocked 7.25. “I would have liked to run a bit faster, but I am happy with the title,” said Verena Sailer. “I have won the bronze medal at the European indoors two years ago and I am targeting this medal again next week.”
After an injury prevented her from competing at the meetings in Düsseldorf and Karlsruhe Carolin Nytra came back winning. Taking the 60m Hurdles in 7.93 she was ahead of Cindy Roleder (8.03).
Similar to the men’s event the women’s Pole Vault also lacked some thrill. This was partly due to the illness of Silke Spiegelburg, who could not compete in Leipzig. Clearing 4.65m at her second attempt Lisa Ryzih took the title from Kristina Gadschiew (4.60m) and Martina Strutz (4.55m).
In the Triple Jump Katja Demut won with 14.20m while Christina Schwanitz took the Shot Put with 18.87m, which equalled the world lead. “One good attempt still is enough,” said Schwanitz, whose second best effort in the competition was 17.55m.
Sabine Krantz took the 3000 m walk with 12:18.12.
Jörg Wenig for the IAAF
Click here for FULL Results
