byLarry EderThomas Rohler is the Olympic champion in the javelin. He is part of a true renaissance in the javelin in Germany. Rohler may be one of the most well rounded fit athletes I have ever seen. Thomas and his coach are quite old school. Prior to the Doha meeting, May 5, he was working on overall fitness and not throwing technique.
Then, on May 5, all of that changed. Thomas Rohler let er rip, and the javelin just stayed in the air. My view was: Rohler defied the laws of gravity with his 93.90m. The look on his face afterwards was, well, priceless.
Thomas Rohler, Pre Classic 2016, photo by PhotoRun.net
On June 8, Thomas threw 90.06m and on June 28, Thomas threw 91.53m. Rohler is tall, fit and relaxed. He understands the javelin. When the interviewer asked him about speaking to Jan Zelezney, he spoke about meeting the great thrower. When I asked him about speaking with Andreas Thorkildsen, and or, Miklos Nemeth, he told us about Andreas and his coach speaking about focusing on a spot in the air to throw the javelin at, kind of a visionary approach.
Well, Thomas Rohler is a fun athlete to watch. I have to confess, the German javelin throwers are into their event and just a group of great young men who are focused on throwing far.
Here is what Thomas said to the media:
« I’m feeling good, very good. I’m coming straight for a very good competition in Ostrava, where I was able to throw more than 90 m (91,53 m). With three days between these two events, the MEETING de PARIS should be great. This season, I’m very pleased with my throws. I was able to throw very far, with an amazing start in Doha, an history performance of 93.90 m. Then things have been good. Each year, I try to give myself new challenges, in training as well as in competition. Two years ago, I wanted to be consistent at 85 m. Last year, it was 87 m. This season, I want to achieve an higher goal, I try to be consistent at 90 m or more. So far, I succeed. »
