‘Not seen replays of my (90.20 metres) throw’: 19-year old Javelin thrower Max Dehning ‘astonished’ by Neeraj Chopra’s ‘flexibility’

Brought up in Hermannsburg, a village in Germany, 19-year-old javelin thrower Max Dehning became the youngest-ever to cross 90 metres at the Winter Throwing Competition in February when he registered a throw of 90.20 metres. In an interview with The Indian Express, the young German says he felt like a ‘small star’ after the special throw and how he is astonished with Olympic and World champion Neeraj Chopra’s flexibility.

Excerpts

How did you start off with handball?

I am from a sporting family and handball was always a main sport. My sister Marie is also active in athletics and successful in combined events.

What made you shift to athletics?

My sister went to the kids athletics programme and I joined her. I tried almost all disciplines, but throwing was always one of my favorites. I was very good as a kid in throwing the ball and when I became older, I chose the javelin.

At what age did you start focussing fully on javelin throw?

When I won my first title at the Under-16 German Championships. When I was 17, I decided to concentrate fully on the javelin throw

How do you look back at your 90 metre-plus throw and what were the reactions back home?

It was a throw for the history journals, I guess. The press here covered it like it was a sensational throw. Also a week after throwing 90 metres-plus, I started to feel like a ‘small star’. There were a lot of media requests (for interviews). The attention was a little too much but I think it helped promote the sport. Therefore I have no problems with this extra ‘stress’ along with my daily training program. Over the last few days, I have put my phone on silent mode as I started receiving messages and calls almost every second. I have not seen the video replays of my throw as I don’t want to rest on my laurels.

You had not crossed 80 metres before the Winter Throwing competition. Could you list out what helped you throw 90 metres?

I believe training, training and more training is what got me here. I was training very hard last winter as I was focused on improving my throws. Now, I have shown everybody that nothing is impossible… that at 19 years you can achieve such a result and success. My coach, Matthias Rau Coach at German Athletic Club, TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, is the one who helped me improve so much.

Germany has great throwers who have crossed 90 metres many times. For a young German thrower, how important is it to cross 90 metres?

To cross the magic 90m mark was something very special for me. In all, 23 throwers have crossed 90 metres. So to join this special list makes me proud. I always wanted to throw 90 metres, but I never expected that I would achieve it so early.

How is your throwing style? What percentage is power?

I believe I have to improve a lot in my technique. I think currently my throwing is about 60 percent to 70 percent power and 40 percent to 30 percent technique.

What are your plans in the run up to the Paris Olympics? As you have thrown 90 metres, there will be focus on you…

I will try not to feel the pressure. I just want to enjoy the competition and hope I can repeat such a performance. The fans will watch me closer than ever before, but I will try not to get too influenced. I will follow the same routine.

Do you have a role model?

I don’t have a role model but I think there is a lot to learn about technique from Jan Zelezny (the world record holder).

Have you watched Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra in action and what do you make of his throwing style?

Neeraj has an impressive technique which I follow carefully. I follow his throws in competitions all over and I am astonished with his flexibility.

Are you financially supported by the government or the sports ministry?

I am sponsored by my club, TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen and also by Deutsche Sporthilfe.

How do you relax when you are not training or competing?

I am a very keen motorcyclist. When I ride my bike I feel free and my mind is at ease.

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