David Storl of Germany wins the Shot Put final (© Getty Images)
Ostrava, Czech RepublicGermany’s David Storl who will turn 17 next Monday 16 July surprised himself with an early birthday present as he unexpectedly won the Boys Shot Put gold medal with a personal best and National Under 18 record of 21.40m here in Ostrava.
Storl, whose impressive series also included a last round effort 21.30m, improved on the 12-year-old national standard by two centimetres taking the honour from his own idol, reigning European champion Ralf Bartels.
“I am very surprised about the distance I achieved today. My goal this year was to try and beat the record but I didn’t think I would do it here in Ostrava.”
Coming into the Championships, Storl’s personal best of 20.77m placed him third on the World Youth lists far behind Ukraine’s Mykyta Nesterenko (21.35m) and Croatia’s Marin Premeru (21.25m).
While Premeru managed a decent contest today holding on to silver with a best throw of 20.42m, Nesterenko was no match for his reputation and didn’t even advance to the final eight.
“I thought Nesterenko would be much stronger today, I have a lot of respect for him and for the results he has achieved.”
Storl’s personal coach Sven Lang explained the Ukrainian failure: “I believe he was extremely nervous and didn’t manage to cope.”
“I am very proud of David,” he continued. “We were aiming for a medal and maybe also the record. We got both so we’re very happy. Today is a very good day for us!”
Based in Chemnitz, Storl came to athletics in 2000 “because it is a lot of fun”. A former decathlete he switched to the throwing events in 2004.
“I wasn’t very good at Decathlon so I decided to concentrate on the Shot Put and the Discus Throw. My favourite event is the shot though.”
“My plan today was to get a good first throw and try and shock Nesterenko.”
Accompanied by his grand father Werner Lielzocz for what is his first trip to the Czech Republic, Storl said he is happy he will have plenty of time to celebrate his gold medal and visit the city of Ostrava.
“Tonight he can drink a little beer if he wants,” conceded his coach.
A computer games fanatic, Storl is the younger of two children, his brother being an accomplished footballer. His ambition is to become a professional athlete and his current training regime certainly indicates his dedication to the sport.
“I train every day, twice a day. I go to school at 7 in the morning, then I train from 9 to 11. I have another training session in the afternoon from 4 to 6 and then back to school.”
A student at the Chemnitz sports school, Storl benefits from a special time table which has allowed him to become the first World Champion of these Youth Championships.
It was Germany’s first gold medal in the boys Shot Put in the history of the World Youth Championships and most probably the beginning of David Storl’s international career.
“My goal is to be as good as Ralf Bartels.” Today’s result proved that Storl’s ambition is well within his potential.
Laura Arcoleo for the IAAF
