2-14-23 Julian Wagner Interview
Things couldn't have gone better for Julian Wagner (LC Top Team Thüringen) this winter - the 24-year-old sprinter from Erfurt has been able to improve steadily in almost every race he has run so far. With a strong 6.55 seconds, he is clearly one of the favorites for the title over 60 meters at the German Indoor Championships in Dortmund. In an interview, he reveals whether the German record falls there and why he prefers the summer to the European Indoor Championships.
How important are the ISTAF Certified Meets?
In general, the ISTAF is very important, especially for us sprinters. Simply because it is the only meeting in Germany with a B category - both the ISTAF in Düsseldorf and the Berlin. Accordingly, you can collect a lot of points for the world ranking. This is important because the norms for the World Cup and Paris are set very high and it is primarily only possible to qualify for the international highlights through the ranking. Added to this is the great atmosphere in the halls. That's the other point why people say they like running there.
How fast can you go over 60 meters?
This is something we are still working on. That I can then go one better. But that's not quite so easy in the performance areas, because even small things mean that you don't improve again. It's the first time I've ventured into these areas this season, and of course small mistakes make themselves felt. In Berlin I ran 6.55 and 6.56 seconds – they are not big differences. It's important to me to keep my performance stable, and I did that very well in the last two competitions. That I can not only run fast in Erfurt in front of my home crowd in my "living room", but also in a fast international field.
On the one hand I have learned a lot from the last two summer seasons and have developed a certain basic level. On the other hand, we got through the preparation very well and I noticed in training that many values are better than in previous years. So it was already indicated that I'm in a good mood. The only thing we have to work on towards the summer is the launch area. It is important to accelerate the first 30 meters in front even better and then run faster than 10.11 seconds.
Last year in February you successfully completed your training as a mechatronics engineer. Since then you have only concentrated on sport – what has changed in your everyday life and also in training? How do you use the extra time?
A lot has changed in everyday life simply because I no longer have to get up so early – instead of having to get up at 5:30 a.m., I can now sleep until 8 a.m. And sleep is the best regeneration. I also use the time to train more and to prepare better for the units. For example, I started going to the gym every Monday morning and using yoga and gymnastics to prepare the muscles for important sessions. In addition, there are more treatments for physiotherapy or to lie in the lymphomat. I simply have more time to take care of my body - and that's really good for me and I'm not so exhausted anymore, but without the stress of school and training I go to the next unit or the next much fresher and more relaxed Competition.
Your "predecessor" Julian Reus, who still holds the German record over 60 meters (6.52 seconds) together with Kevin Kranz, had always raved about the good training environment in Erfurt. What makes the location so special for you?
The special thing is that the team works so well together. This includes medical care with Gerald Lutz and Torsten Rocktäschel, who are available to us day and night. But also preventive measures and athletic training. And of course the coaching team with Tobias Schneider and Gerhard Jäger from young and old, who complement each other very well. But the entire facility and the short distances also play a major role, so we are very well positioned. And I'm always happy to emphasize that we also have Julian Reus to thank for this, who built it up over the years and from which we are now benefiting.
Let's take a look at the coming weekend, the German Indoor Championships in Dortmund. In both 2020 and 2021 you finished second in the national winter highlight – as well as in 2022 over 100 meters outdoors. Which medal color should it be on Saturday?
Of course I want to win with my previous performances (laughs). But I'm still cautious about such statements. So far, everyone has improved every year towards the German Championships, so it will definitely be very exciting. But I'm going to Dortmund with the aim of winning there too.
Dortmund certainly seems to be a fast place for you. You ran your best times there in 2021 as well as in 2022. Most recently you ran 6.58 seconds from full training – is the German record finally due at the weekend?
That is difficult to say. In any case, I trust myself to advance into these areas. But above all in the hall it also depends heavily on the form of the day, because you can't rely on just any wind and no mistakes can be forgiven. I trust myself and have proven that with stable times of 6.55 and 6.56 seconds. As is well known, it is also the case that there are occasional outliers at a stable level. But I can't say whether that will happen this weekend. I definitely feel good and recovered. I still want to win there – with what time is then irrelevant. The main thing is the golden precious metal, that's what I really want. That would be the first time, so far I've only been runner-up. I would like to have a championship title on my agenda.
Can any Current German Sprinter break the German National Record of Julian Reus at 10.01?
I already have that in my head, but here it's similar to the German record over 60 meters indoors: Everything has to be right and a lot can always happen. Such a winter structure is easier to design than a summer structure. Many aspects come into play here. But of course such values from the winter suggest that the brand can be viewed on a somewhat shorter-term basis. But I still don't put any pressure on myself. It either comes on the day it's supposed to happen, or it doesn't. Basically, I think that the German record over 100 meters will fall soon - whether that's me or, for example, Josh [Joshua Hartmann] or Owen [Ansah], that's difficult to say. But I can well imagine that it will play an increasingly important role in the next one to two years. Simply because the level is so strong that it suggests that one of us will eventually make it.
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