Former shot put world champion Storl announces end of career

Two-time shot put world champion David Storl has officially ended his career, which has been dormant for some time. As the German Athletics Association announced on Wednesday, the 33-year-old Storl will be bid farewell on Friday during the shot put competitions at the German Indoor Championships in Leipzig. The last competition of the athlete from SC DHfK Leipzig was 20 months ago.

After his herniated disc in 2021, it had become difficult, Storl said in the press release and emphasized: "At some point, what you risk is no longer in proportion to what you can win." In 2011, he became the youngest shot put world champion with 21.78 meters in Daegu, South Korea, and defended the title two years later in Moscow. The Saxon collected a total of 19 international medals and was one of the figureheads of German athletics for many years.

"I'm very satisfied, I've achieved quite a lot," Storl emphasized. He enjoyed life as an athlete: "It was really nice, you have so many opportunities and freedom." Now the focus is on his family, Storl's wife is expecting their fourth child. "I'm most grateful to my wife and children for supporting and accompanying me on this path," he emphasized.

The 2012 Olympic silver medallist was also European champion four times in total, including three times in a row in the outdoor events. However, in recent years, the rotational throwers have dominated the event, while Storl has stuck to his usual gliding technique. His last international podium finish came in 2019 with second place at the European Indoor Championships.

The federal police officer won his last of 19 German championship titles in 2022 at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin with 20.32 meters. He achieved his best distance in 2015 with 22.20 meters, while the world record held by American Ryan Crouser now stands at 23.56 meters.

He will be co-casting the competitions at the national indoor championships on Friday (5.55 pm) on the German Athletics Association livestream (leichtathletik.de and Youtube) as co-commentator.