by Larry Eder
David Storl, Sopot 2014, photo by PhotoRun.net
David Storl has won Olympic gold, World Champs gold, European Outdoor Gold, but never, ever the European Indoor Champs. Well, until last night!
The shot put started with Ladislav Prasil, CZE, opening with a seasonal best of 20.66m and taking the lead from Mr. Storl. The German shot putter had opened with 20.56m, but his foul in the second round did not help either.
Then, in round 3, David Storl woke up from his stupor, taking the lead with a fine 21.12m. Mr. Prasil was quite happy, as he was in silver position. In round 4, Storl fouled, as had Prasil for rounds 2, 3, and then a 20.26m.
Round five heated things up, as Borja Vivas threw 20.59m, moving himself into bronze medal contention. Storl had thrown 20.92m, his second best of the day.
Round six was the stunner. Asmir Kolasinac, SRB, put it together and threw 20.90m, and took over the silver position. Ladislav Prasil, CZE, moved to bronze and Borja had no time to respond. The Czech Republic has its first medal of the European indoors, much to the delight of the Czech fans.
In the final throw, knowing that he had won his first Euro Indoors, David Storl relaxed, and put the shot out there, hitting 21.23 meters, the exact same distance he had in qualifying.
The @shotdevil, as David Storl is known in the social media world takes his own counsel. Not a big socializer, he is not well known among the shot putters, who are a pretty affable group. Perhaps, that is a protective device for Mr. Storl.
None the less, the German shot putter, the best of his generation in Europe, adds a new medal and title to his storied career.
