by Larry EderThe German javelin star is quite unassuming, as are most great javelin throwers. Thomas is in Doha to open his season, hopefully with a nice big throw. Like most young athletes in Germany, he was given access to all track events, and liked the high jump and triple jump. It was not until the advanced age of 17 that Thomas began to throw the javelin.
Thomas Rohler, Olympic champion, photo by PhotoRun.net
No decathlon or pole vault for this guy, Thomas Rohler genuinely loves the javelin, and the pure act of throwing. He also likes to fly fish for trout.
The javelin is one of the most ancient of athletic events. It is a combination of strength, speed, technique and focus. When one throws the javelin correctly, it is like competing with the gods of athletics.
We shall watch and see how Thomas Rohler throws on Friday, but I think that there is a big throw in him for Doha. Lets see if he can throw 88 plus meters on Friday! That would be an opener. This early in the season, anything 85 plus meters and over is pretty darn good. Watch the crowd ooh and ahh as the javelin stays in the air, like in an air bubble, waiting to burst as it hits the ground.
One of the finest javelin throwers ever to come from Germany, Thomas Rohler has many years ahead of him in the javelin. And we are working on getting Thomas to visit the United States for some javelin throwing and perhaps, some fishing too. I keep telling him about Wisconsin and California.
