News06 Dec 2013


Holzdeppe looking for first victory in Karlsruhe

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German pole vaulter Raphael Holzdeppe (© Getty Images)

One of Raphael Holzdeppe’s first competitions of 2013 was the Indoor Meeting in Karlsruhe, an IAAF Indoor Permit Meeting. The year ended up being his most successful one to date, so the World Pole Vault champion will return to the German city on 1 February with the aim of kick-starting another outstanding season.

At the 2013 edition of the meeting, Holzdeppe finished third behind long-time rivals Renaud Lavillenie and Bjorn Otto. Buoyed by his success in Moscow at the IAAF World Championships, the 24-year-old has already made several changes during his winter training and is keen to achieve his first victory at the first IAAF Indoor Permit meeting of 2014.

“I’ve never jumped so consistently high,” said the Olympic and European bronze medallist of his recent training sessions. “I hope I can take this form through to the indoor season. My goals for the year are to break six metres and of course win the European title.”

This will be Holzdeppe’s fifth appearance at the Indoor Meeting in Karlsruhe. He first competed there as a junior in 2008 and finished fifth. After fourth-place finishes in 2009 and 2010, his third-place finish earlier this year was his best result in Karlsruhe. Now he wants to win.

“I like Karlsruhe very much; I set my indoor PB there,” said Holzdeppe of the 5.82m mark he set at the 2012 German Indoor Championships.

Exciting competitions are also guaranteed in other events in Karlsruhe. Athletes coordinator Alain Blondel revealed this week that in addition to the Pole Vault, the other men’s disciplines will be the Shot Put, 60m Hurdles, 800m, 1500m and 3000m. Women will compete in the Long Jump, 60m, 60m Hurdles, 1500m and 3000m.

Organisers for the IAAF

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