The world discus champion knows that preparation will be key in her bid for her first European title this summer.
Daniel Stoll is known for his celebrations. Whether it’s running out after his three world titles or shouting “I’m a Swedish Viking!” The larger-than-life character is more than happy to let the emotion flow in front of the camera following her Olympic victory five years ago.
That will be the case if he also finishes top at Birmingham 26 later this summer. A European Championship title is the only thing that has eluded the 33-year-old so far in his glittering career, and winning gold at the Alexander Stadium in August would mean a lot.
There are certain events in Europe where the level of competition is right up there with the Olympics or the World Championships, and that’s a lot when it comes to the men’s discus.
The reigning European champion is Kristian Cech of Slovenia, currently third on the 2026 world list, while world record holder Nikolas Alekna of Lithuania will be chasing the title he last won in 2022. Munich bronze medalist Lawrence Okoye also started his season in the West four years ago. Midlands.
The level of competition will be fierce then, but Stahl prides himself on making sure he’s ready for anything. Finishing ninth at last year’s world championships in Japan, he left no stone unturned in his preparation and that work paid dividends when the weather gods invaded the Olympic Stadium.
“I knew it was going to rain. It usually rains in Asia in September, October and November, so I made sure I was ready,” said Stoll, who was recently named in the group of 33 athletes who made up the first round of Sweden’s selection for the Birmingham 26.
Pole vault world record holder Mondo Duplantis and 10,000m bronze medalist Andreas Almgren also feature.
“I rained as much as I could during training, so I went to Tokyo with this attitude. “If it rains, it’s like heaven. Don’t think negative or anything, just go for it and be focused.”
That focus was crucial during the final, which was postponed due to conditions and saw Stahl become the last gold medalist of those world championships after all the action was over. Her final throw of 70.47m denied Alekna her first world title.
“With all the delays, it took three hours,” said the Berlin 2018 European silver medallist. “I was really proud of that.”
Given Britain’s notoriously fickle weather, it will also help to be ready for anything when it comes to the European Championship final on the evening of August 13, but Staal also knows he will have his work cut out for him even if the conditions are perfect.
“(The discus throw) is so great now, so you have to be at a certain level of position (to compete),” he says. “I’m really thankful for all these throwers that threw so far. (Winning European gold) would be a big bonus if I hit it, but it’s really hard.”
Just watch out for the Swedish celebrations if he strikes gold.
