For this achievement, special praise comes from a coaching legend!
Former Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp (57) is happy for our swimming hero Taliso Engel (22).
On Thursday evening, the Nuremberg athlete celebrated his second gold medal at the Paralympics. The world champion clocked a time of 1:01.90 minutes in the 100-meter breaststroke.
The former Premier League coach, who left the Reds in the summer after 489 games on the sidelines, immediately congratulated him on social media.
In his Insta story, Klopp wrote: “22 years old and already the second Paralympic gold medal – WOW. Congratulations. It was a pleasure to meet you in the German House.”
Former BVB coach Jürgen Klopp congratulates Taliso Engel on his Paralympics triumph in his Insta story
Photo: instagram/kloppo
Klopp is a big fan of the Paralympics. Last week he visited the French capital to cheer on the German-New Zealand badminton player Wojtek Czyz (44) in the stands at the Place de la Concorde.
However, that didn’t help much. The multiple Paralympic champion (who was still competing for Germany at the time) was eliminated in the first round by Briton Daniel Bethell.
Afterwards, Klopp also stopped by the German House – and met gold hero Taliso Engel, among others.
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Despite his Paralympics victory, the Franconian was not satisfied with his final run.
Engel after the race: “Of course it bothers me that I didn’t improve the world record from the morning in the evening. Unfortunately, I messed up the turn and didn’t get off to a good start. But that’s complaining at a high level. I’m just happy that I’ve defended my gold medal here again.”
Background: Before the GOLD final, he set a new world record of 1:01.84 minutes in the preliminary round – just like his team colleague Elena Semechin (30) did that evening. After their award ceremonies, both celebrated their gold medals at the edge of the pool.
Two German gold medals within a few minutes: Elena Semechin (l.) and Taliso Engel
Photo: Jens Büttner/dpa
“Klopp friend” Taliso Engel has also had tough years. In the winter of 2023, the para-athlete suddenly developed severe pain in his right ear due to a severe middle ear infection during training camp and at some point he could no longer hear anything at all.
Last year, he underwent a complex operation to implant a hearing implant. With the help of a snorkel, which helped him keep his head more still in the water, he returned to the top of the world and has now secured GOLD again at the Paralympic Games.
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Source: BILD / [email protected]
Now Engel has another big dream: At some point he wants to compete in the Olympic Games. Ideally in 2028 in Los Angeles.
Klopp would probably like that too!
