Nstill she never lets go, the search for the perfect shot. Every morning Stephan Krüger gets on the boat for it, pushes his physical limits and again and again faces the often grueling selection process that the German Rowing Association imposes on its athletes on the way to the national team. Although the 31-year-old was already world and European champion, even though he has been doing everything for competitive sports for 15 years, the agony is still fun for him. Thinking that everything will be over by next year at the latest if the Olympic Games in Tokyo are either past, postponed again or canceled, the native of Rostock is already feeling pain. “My body will never be as fit as it is now,” he says with a hint of premature melancholy.
In Japan, the member of the Frankfurt RG Germania would experience his fourth games. Perhaps the 2008 Olympic champion from Beijing will finally hold a medal in his hand. However, a dream will remain unfulfilled for the Skuller: to experience the major event as a soloist, as well as in a double four or two.
He doesn’t trust the promise
In the struggle for the coveted one, Krüger was beaten by Oliver Zeidler at the 2019 German Championships. Its subsequent dominance on international waters gave the competition no chance to attack the world and European champions again. But there was no room for Krüger in the four too. The veteran heard that he didn’t fit in. Maybe because the redhead was infected with some athletes. In addition, the temporary partner of Olympic third Marcel Hacker is considered a bank in pairs.
He does not trust the promise that he will be in the small boat that he maneuvered to the Olympic ticket together with Tim Ole Naske, who was recalled from the four, at the 2019 World Cup in Linz. “It is a candy that will be smashed again with a hammer,” says Krüger. As evidence for this claim, the fact that he has been competing with three other candidates in a series of test races for half a year serves as evidence. Two rounds have been completed, the quartet is currently preparing for the third in the training camp in Ratzeburg.
The result is certain for Krüger. There is no way around him and Marc Weber from Gießen. The two won the recent duels in Schleswig-Holstein in early July. “You want to do everyone justice,” says Krüger. But having to go full throttle for such a long period of time, not being able to give up on a single blow, while the crews in other classes have long been certain that they have their wheelchairs in the national boats, that is not easy to cope with. The meaning is also in question. It will be another year before the games take place in 2021. A lot can happen until then. The only challenge in October is a European championship in Poznan, Poland, which will be decided in two weeks.
In the tense situation, it is good for Krüger that he has held the position of a research assistant at the TU Hamburg since July 1 and can thus distract himself from rowing. It also gives the industrial engineer a chance to pursue a doctorate in maritime logistics after his career. The sports soldier does not have to worry about his future and can enjoy the latest rowing experiences carefree. The lightness of his new partner helps him with that. “Marc doesn’t take things so seriously.” Despite his own experience, he could learn from the U-23 world champion. For example, staying calm at the start and trusting that your own physique is sufficient to drive up the shape curve again when the others subside. And that Weber studies psychology also helps to find perfection together.
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