German Thrower Ogonle Feels No Pressure Ahead of European Indoor Athletics Championships

Olympic champion Ymessi Ogonle feels no pressure in her new role as the top favorite to win the women’s shot put gold at the upcoming European Indoor Athletics Championships, which begin this Thursday in the Netherlands.

Ogonle won the silver medal at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, last year, which also saw her claim the Olympic gold medal in the most recent Games held in Paris last summer.

Ogonle (26 years old) has continued to improve, achieving her personal best of 20.27 meters last month at the national championships in Dortmund, Germany, placing her at the top of the European rankings before the Apeldoorn Championship.

Ogonle said, “I can confidently say that I have prepared very well, and I can go into the European Championships with this momentum.” She added that she aims to maintain the level she reached in Dortmund, as well as “calmness and joy, and then I am sure I will also go far in Apeldoorn.”

Ogonle’s success has provided a significant boost to shot put in Germany following the retirement of Kristina Schwanitz and David Storl, who were hugely successful in the last decade.

Thanks to the German athlete, shot put has been added to the programs of the Düsseldorf and Berlin Indoor Championships, which attract large crowds.

Ogonle stated, “I am very grateful because shot put now has a completely new status in Germany.”

Germany is preparing to send a delegation of 37 athletes to Apeldoorn, led by long jump star Malika Mihambo and triple jumper Max Hess.

Additionally, Maggy Kolberg may win a medal in the women’s 800-meter race.