Assani dethrones Mihambo in long jump, Agyekum and Krause set championship records

Assani exploits Mihambo's dip in form

Victory and the gold medal went to Mikaelle Assani, who had only returned to competition in June after a 15-month injury layoff. With 6.67 m, she also met the confirmation standard for the European Championships in Birmingham. Former 800 m champion Smilla Kolbe had already congratulated Assani after the decisive jump. Tabea Christ from Münster took third place with 6.52 m. Mihambo proved a gracious loser despite the defeat: „Unabhängig davon, dass für mich der Wettkampf nicht so lief, wie ich mir das vorgestellt habe, kann ich mich trotzdem sehr und freien Herzens für Mika freuen."

Krause makes her mark with a record return

Gesa Krause also caused a stir. The 33-year-old from Dillenburg, who had taken a maternity break in recent years, won the 3000 m steeplechase title for the seventh time and significantly improved her own championship record from 2017 to 9:24.40 minutes. She clearly beat her previous best mark and announced her return in impressive fashion ahead of the continental championships. At the finish, she was surprised by Smilla Kolbe with an inflatable crown. For Krause, it was her first national title since returning from maternity leave and another step on the path to a fifth European Championship medal, 14 years after her bronze in Helsinki in 2012.

Agyekum breaks the old championship record

„Für mich gab es eigentlich nichts anderes, als diesen Titel zu gewinnen", Krause said in the ARD interview after the race. The two-time European champion from 2018, who had most recently taken silver at the 2024 European Championships, also stressed: „Ich muss niemandem mehr etwas beweisen, aber ich möchte es eben mir selbst noch beweisen. Ich war heute wirklich extrem angespannt. Ich bin natürlich sehr glücklich mit dem Resultat. Ich fühle mich so gut wie nie zuvor." Olivia Gürth from Trier finished second in 9:27.08 minutes, ahead of Lea Mayer of VfL Löningen (9:30.96).

Emil Agyekum also produced a historic moment. The 400 m hurdler, who had broken Harald Schmid's 44-year-old German record just eight days earlier with 47.45 seconds, confirmed his top form with the national title in 47.65 seconds – a new championship record. The previous best mark had stood since 1985 at 48.02 seconds. „Ich bin super drauf, hab' ein neues Level erreicht", Agyekum said after the race. Owe Fischer-Breiholz of Königsteiner LV improved his season's best to 48.08 seconds to take second. Joshua Abuaku of Eintracht Frankfurt, finishing sixth in 50.82 seconds, once again missed the European Championship confirmation standard.

Sprint double and proceedings against Ansah

In the sprints, Owen Ansah of Hamburger SV secured the double. After the 100 m title, he also won the 200 m in 20.13 seconds, crowning himself double champion as the championships closed at the Wattenscheid Lohrheidestadion. Meanwhile, Hamburger SV is the subject of proceedings by the National Anti-Doping Agency (Nada). According to his own account, Ansah refused a doping test on 9 July because a chaperone had appeared outside the time window he had given and he was on his way to the toilet en route to the Diamond League meeting in Monaco.

In the men's 400 m, Jean Paul Bredau of VfL Wolfsburg repeated his success, claiming his third consecutive national title in 44.72 seconds – the fastest time by a German over this distance in 25 years, since Ingo Schultz. Thorben Finke of SV Sigiltra Sögel finished second in 45.08 seconds, ahead of Thilo Traue (45.30). In the women's event, Johanna Martin prevailed in 51.20 seconds; the injured defending champion Skadi Schier was absent. In the men's 1500 m, Robert Farken of Leipzig defended his third consecutive national title in 3:35.33 minutes ahead of Marc Tortell (Athletics Team Karben/3:38.69). Steven Richter of LV 90 Erzgebirge won the discus with 66.27 m, ahead of Henrik Janssen (64.64) and Mika Sosna (63.57); in the women's shot put, Yemisi Mabry triumphed with 19.04 m.

Overall, the finals in Bochum-Wattenscheid, one week before the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham (10 to 16 August), produced numerous strong performances. While German steeplechasers and female long jumpers beat the European Championship standards, athletes such as Joshua Abuaku also brought disappointment: after narrowly missing the confirmation standard the day before, he could only manage sixth place. The championships also showed, however, that German athletics is in good form across several disciplines – not least thanks to the returnees Assani and Krause.

National titles at a glance: Women's long jump 1. Mikaelle Assani 6.67 m, 2. Malaika Mihambo 6.63 m, 3. Tabea Christ 6.52 m. Women's 3000 m steeplechase 1. Gesa Krause 9:24.40, 2. Olivia Gürth 9:27.08, 3. Lea Mayer 9:30.96. Men's 400 m hurdles 1. Emil Agyekum 47.65, 2. Owe Fischer-Breiholz 48.08. Men's 200 m 1. Owen Ansah 20.13. Men's 400 m 1. Jean Paul Bredau 44.72. Women's 400 m 1. Johanna Martin 51.20. Men's 1500 m 1. Robert Farken 3:35.33. Men's discus 1. Steven Richter 66.27. Women's shot put 1. Yemisi Mabry 19.04.