08.08.2020 | Braunschweig
DM Day 1: Deniz Almas unbeatable in 10.09 seconds
Alexandra Dersch
They are championships at a distance – but still with championship-worthy performances. Deniz Almas crowned the first day of the 120th German Championships at the Eintracht Stadium in Braunschweig, which takes place under strict hygiene regulations in view of the Corona pandemic, with his rapid 10.09 seconds over the 100 meters. Max Hess won his fourth title in the triple jump. But there were also numerous surprise winners this Saturday in Braunschweig.
They are different championships than the athletes are used to. Championships with mask. At a distance. And without spectators. Championships in the Corona Summer. But still championships, in which the athletes pushed themselves to top performance, because at best the reward shines golden.
The fastest wolf is also the fastest German. Deniz Almas (VfL Wolfsburg) filled the entire Eintracht Stadium with his cheering scream. Justified, after all, the 23-year-old had only recently won the title in the 100 meters with 10.09 seconds. 10.09 seconds – no German champion has been over this distance since Julian Reus' record run in 2014. In Braunschweig, it was also The Julian Reus (LAC Erfurt) who put a lot of pressure on the young Almaz from the first metre, but the five-time open-air winner, who wants to end his career after the 2021 Olympic Games, came out of the blocks by far best.
But then the young savages romped in the person of Deniz Almas, but also the Cologne-based Joshua Hartmann. The 21-year-old Hartmann had already run a best time of 10.14 seconds this year and also proved his worth in the hot Braunschweig stadium. In 10.23 seconds, after finishing fifth last year, he took silver ahead of Julian Reus, who proved in 10.26 seconds that he should still not be underestimated at the age of 32. This year, however, Germany's sprint king is clearly called Deniz Almas, as he was able to win the title over 60 meters in the hall. The 10.09 seconds is the second fastest time in Europe this summer – only Almas himself was faster this year (10.08 sec).
