by Alfonz Juck
Niklaus Kaul, 2019 gold medalist, Doha, photo by Getty Images / World Athletics
Niklaus Kaul won the decathlon at the Doha WC in October 2019. His win was exciting as he began day 2 in 11th place at 4,164 points On day 1, Niklaus Kaul performed well: 11.27 for 100m, 801 pts., 20th place, 7.19m for LJ, 859 pts., 19th place, 15.10m for 796 pts., 16th place, 2.02m HJ, 822 pts., 12th place, and at end of day 1, a 48.48 for 400m, put Niklaus Kaul in 11th, with 886 pts for 4,164 pts.
On day 2, the battle continued. 14.64 for 100m hurdles, 896 pts, staying in 11th place. Niklaus won the discus, with 49.20m, 854 pts, moving Kaul to 9th place. A strong PV with 5.00m, for 910 points, moving him to 6th. Then, a huge 79.05 m javelin throw, which put Niklaus Kaul in bronze medal position in 9th event, with 1,028 points!
Niklaus Kaul showed his distance power, with his exciting 4:15.70 for the 1,500m, taking his third win in ten events, Niklaus Kaul took the gold in a PB of 8,691 points with Maicel Uibo, Estonia, silver, 8604 PB. In bronze, 8,529 points, for Damian Warner of Canada.
The presser for the decathlon was fantastic. As Niklaus Kaul enjoyed his win, he was asked who is idol was. Klaus smiled and pointed to the back of the room. Seated in the back was Ashton Eaton (WR holder) and Brianna Thiesen Eaton (silver medalist, Rio).
The following excerpt, from EME News, is about Niklaus Kaul’s thoughts on the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
MAINZ (GER): World decathlon champion Niklas Kaul has described the postponement of the Olympic Games as “an advantage,” informs Leichtathletik.de. “Because of the postponement, I can now work on my obvious weaknesses. It is an advantage because I am still relatively young. In some disciplines, I still need time and technical work,” he said.
Niklaus Kaul, photo by World Athletics
