Leo Neugebauer has – or rather had – a shoe problem, but that’s completely normal for a decathlete. Because a different pair is used for almost each of the ten disciplines, you not only need a spacious shoe cupboard, but also the necessary organizational talent.
And so it happened to Neugebauer that he didn’t pack his shoe in his bag for the discus throw. An episode that the 23-year-old has to listen to again and again from his friends. Which is fine for Neugebauer. Not only because he has the relaxed attitude to rise above things. But above all because his success proves him right.
Leo Neugebauer: Best German decathlete of all time
We meet Neugebauer for a Zoom call at home in Austin. He had been on the road for 24 hours beforehand. Travel stress, delayed flights, but someone like him doesn’t let that stress him out. He walked through the door five minutes ago – and is already in a great mood again. Which – among other things – could also be due to this fact: Neugebauer, who has been living and studying in Austin, Texas since 2019, is the best German decathlete of all time.
With 8,836 points, he catapulted himself into the decathlon heaven like a rocket in June. At the US Student Championships in Austin, he broke Jürgen Hingsen’s 39-year-old German decathlon record (8,832), and was even on course for a world record until the eighth discipline. No other athlete had ever had more points in their account before the final javelin throw and the 1,500-meter run.
Leo Neugebauer aims high
His next goal is the 9,000-point mark – and perhaps one day the decathlon world record of the Frenchman Kevin Mayer (9,126 points). He has the perfect conditions to achieve this goal. Neugebauer is a mechanical engineering student at the University of Texas, which spends $250 million a year on sports sponsorship. A lot of money to provide athletes like Neugebauer with an ideal environment so that they can concentrate fully on their sport.
The investment is paying off. At the Olympic Games in Tokyo, athletes from the Texas Longhorns won nine athletics medals, five of which were gold. “My sports scholarship in the USA gave me the professional conditions,” says Neugebauer. “I can train twice a day. The distances from the stadium to the university and the physiotherapists are short. Many employees at the university plan our day so that we can juggle lectures, competitions and training.”
The decathlon star is a real all-rounder
Neugebauer is a real all-rounder who is strong in almost all disciplines. He is particularly good at discus throwing, shot put, 400 meters and pole vaulting. His sprinting ability has also improved recently.
In his decathlon record in Austin, the two-meter man ran the 100 meters in 10.61 seconds. You could almost think that everything was perfect if it weren’t for the javelin throw. Here, the model athlete’s time is over at 57.45 meters. “I train hard and try to improve a little more in each discipline. Ultimately, that has a huge impact on the overall score,” says Neugebauer.
In Austin, he is looked after by three trainers. James Garnham is his head coach. Former long and triple jumper Edrick Floreal takes care of sprint training and Clint Martin takes care of strength training. Former decathlon star Trey Hardee (personal best: 8,790 points) also drops by training from time to time. The 2012 Olympic silver medalist and two-time decathlon world champion lives and works in Austin and was one of the first people in the stadium to congratulate Neugebauer when he achieved his 8,836 points.
But Neugebauer didn’t always have it easy as a multi-athlete, and he had to wait a long time for his breakthrough in the decathlon. In 2016, a torn ligament in his hip cost him a full season.
Neugebauer’s career began at the age of six
The career of the Görlitz native began at the age of six at LG Leinfelden-Echterdingen in Baden-Württemberg. He played football on the side, but his heart always belonged to athletics. At the age of 15, he devoted himself completely to his favorite sport. “My mother never did any sport. My father used to play football,” says Neugebauer, whose father comes from Cameroon.
And now? Neugebauer dreams of taking part in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Neugebauer’s current best performance would not be enough for gold – the reigning Olympic champion Damian Warner (Canada) scored 9,018 points – but it would be enough for silver. And Neugebauer still has a bit of time until next summer.
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