Lukas Weißhaidinger: A discus is like a dance partner

Verena Mayr and Susanne Gogl-Walli have secured their spots in Austria’s team for the upcoming European Championships. The two athletes joined a group of 24 Austrian competitors who will represent the country in the competition, which runs from August 10 to 16. This marks a notable achievement for both women, particularly after previous near-misses in major international competitions. Mayr, 31, narrowly missed qualification for the Olympics in Paris 2024 and the World Championships in Tokyo 2025 due to just one spot in the world rankings. Her current position at 21st among the top 24 heptathletes has given her more confidence this time around. Mayr expressed relief at making the team, acknowledging that she had faced challenges in her preparations. She did not compete in a multi-event competition this year due to suboptimal training conditions. Her strategy moving forward involves focusing on delivering maximum performance in each individual discipline. “I don’t have specific point or placement goals,” she said. “I’ll see how many points I end up with.” Her journey to the European Championships was complicated by injuries. During the indoor season, she suffered a tendon tear in her thigh muscle. Additional issues arose later in the spring, including back and knee problems. Despite these setbacks, Mayr remains optimistic about her progress. She mentioned that recent training sessions focused on improving speed, adding sharpness to her performances. In the days leading up to the championships, she reduced her training volume to ensure she arrives rested and ready. Gogl-Walli, 30, had previously reached the final in the 400 meters at the 2024 World Championships in Rome. However, she described this season as challenging, citing persistent hamstring issues and muscular problems that limited her training options. Alternative exercises such as aqua jogging were necessary during recovery periods. Gogl-Walli acknowledged that competing in Birmingham would be difficult under the prevailing conditions, noting that wind could affect race times. She aims to run under 52 seconds to reach the semifinals. Lukas Weißhaidinger, a discus thrower from Upper Austria, also made it onto the team despite battling a back injury. A pinched nerve initially raised concerns about his participation, but his coaches managed to alleviate enough pain for him to compete. Weißhaidinger, 34, described his preparation as far from ideal, having injured his back shortly before departing for Birmingham. He adjusted his training significantly afterward but received clearance to compete after successfully lifting 200 kilograms during bench press exercises. Weißhaidinger emphasized that he feels competitive enough to participate in the European Championships. His pre-competition metrics suggest he is in a strong position. Reflecting on his career, he noted that winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 marked a significant milestone. However, he still harbors ambitions for future successes, including the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. He believes the European Championships serve as an essential stepping stone toward achieving larger goals. The Austrian delegation includes several other athletes from Upper Austria, such as Endiorass Kingley, Tobias Rattinger, and Leo Köhldörfer. Their inclusion highlights the growing strength of Austrian athletics. Gogl-Walli expressed pride in being part of the largest national team ever assembled for a European Championship, emphasizing the sense of camaraderie among the athletes. Weißhaidinger discussed the importance of consistency in his sport, noting that while some athletes have achieved distances over 70 meters, he believes a strong performance can still yield a medal. He aims to throw his personal best of 67 meters, potentially surpassing that mark. He also shared insights into the physical demands of his sport, emphasizing the need for regeneration and proper training techniques to sustain a long athletic career. Weißhaidinger offered encouragement to younger athletes like Will Dibo, another Austrian discus thrower. He praised Dibo's perseverance through years of hard work and highlighted the significance of representing one's country in international competitions. As the European Championships approach, all these athletes prepare to showcase their skills on the global stage.