BERLIN, Oct. 4 -- German Niklas Kaul is undoubtedly one of the biggest surprises of the 2019 Athletics World Championships in Doha, winning the decathlon crown with 8,691 points as the youngest at the age of 21 years and 234 days.
What is behind the king of athletics?
A student on his way to be a teacher of physics and sports at the Johannes Gutenberg-University in Mainz, Kaul is coached by his parents Michael and Stefanie, both former athletes. His mother won the national 800m and 400m hurdles in Austria while his father won the hurdles title in Germany.
Kaul became the first German to win the decathlon since 1987 when East German Torsten Voss won the gold medal.
The former handball player called it hard to realize what has happened and admitted he has been in growing unrest before the 1,500m race.
"I was frightened I could spoil the thing. But then I thought, it doesn't matter if they have to carry you off the track, this is a once in a lifetime chance," the former Under-20 world champion said.
A medal got within reach after the reigning champion and world-record holder Kevin Mayer pulled out due to an injury.
Stomach pain didn't stop the German as he changed his nutrition during the competition. Spicy food and too much water were said to have caused his trouble. He drank less and ate more of what he loves when on the track.
"I always carry loads of applesauce with me, the one you can buy in glass bottles in ordinary shops," he said. Over the two days of competition, he has consumed 1.5 kilos as it is digestible like bananas and muesli bars.
Things turned to be good ahead of the pole vault, "as I started to feel better." A new personal best of five meters in the pole vault was followed by a new longest of 79.05 meters in the javelin.
The 2016 Olympic bronze medal winner Damian Warner praised Kaul's variability. "Do you know someone getting near 80 meters with the javelin and running 1,500m in 4:15? I only know one," the Canadian said.
Kaul called himself "not the best" of all decathlon athletes, "but maybe the most constant one" counting on a strong second day.
As local media called the 1.90m-tall athlete the new face of German athletics, former decathlon champion Ashton Eaton of the United States is convinced that Kaul can shape an era as he is also known for his fair-play and down-to-earth attitude and communicability.