Raphael Holzdeppe flies again: Crisis ended, won silver – SPIEGEL ONLINE

The peak of the crisis was reached on February 22 2015th Raphael Holzdeppe – best German pole vaulters, bronze medalist at the 2012 Olympic Games, world champion in 2013 – wanted to get at the German Indoor Athletics Championships in Karlsruhe unhurriedly at 5.35 meters. A height that he may have to create also in flip-flops.

The technical deficiencies that had previously forced Holzdeppe already in the demolition of the outdoor season, made the 5.35 meters but insurmountable hurdles. The 25-year-old ran in all three tests under the crossbar by and posted a pay freeze – not for the first time since the career climax 2013.

In Moscow Holzdeppe had the world elite still surprised with skipped 5.89 meters – even really unbeatable World record holder Renaud Lavillenie from France had to settle for the silver medal. The coaching and relocation to Munich at Chauncey Johnson in winter previously seemed to be exactly the right step.

But then he no longer flew.

Born in Kaiserslautern Holzdeppe is home connected , Linked as if he wanted to admit to himself that time. The almost 400 kilometers away to his friends, to family and girlfriend sosthene moguenara prevented Holzdeppe not mind repeatedly to get into the car and drive home. On the highway, but it will be no better pole vaulter.

Holzdeppe blooms in Zweibrücken again

For technical problems and missing workouts also joined repeatedly injuries. 2014 went down in Wood Deppe’s pole vault Vita as a plague year. Therefore, the time still reigning world champion decided to skip back and returned to Zweibrucken to his old coach Andrej Tiwontschik back.

“That plays a big role, I just feel good and am no longer so much on the highway on the way” Holzdeppe had said before the World Cup in Beijing: “. And this force that I save by I can put into practice”

After the low point in Karlsruhe stood for Holzdeppe actually mainly workouts on the program. He remained injury-free, moved with long jumper Moguenara an apartment and began to flourish in a community setting. In the Team Championship in June it had reached again to 5.85 meters, in the weeks thereafter increased Holzdeppe his personal best to 5.94 meters.

And also in the psychological field itself Holzdeppe has improved. Before his silver jump in Beijing, he was already almost failed in qualifying, mastered 5,70 meters until the third attempt. In the final, the former Sports soldier who now finances itself as a professional even the first two jumps over 5.90 meters broke off – and then react with strong nerves in the third attempt. Holzdeppe flies halt again.