Erftstadt-Gymnich. The tension, the excitement, the adrenaline, it was all present at the highest level in Tim Axar long before his competition at the European Youth Diving Championships. Because Jiminich’s extraordinary German talent had to digest a few setbacks before moving to Bucharest:
He injured his thumb shortly before the trip, and then his home coach Alexander Neufeld of SV Neptune Aachen had to cancel the trip at short notice due to illness. “But my family doctor took good care of me and prepared me mentally for what is to come. And Alexander Neufeld was somehow always there,” Tim Axar looks back with a smile. Former Olympic participant Martin Wolfram looked after him as a substitute coach and during preparation, training in Bucharest, and competition. Stayed with them on site during. In the end, Gymnicher was still able to tackle the European Youth Championship in a positive mood.
As the youngest participant, everyone was surprised
Arriving in Romania, the first day of competition was soon on the agenda: preliminary. “It includes essentials and course jumps,” explains Tim Axer. After the national preparatory competitions, two participants from each nation were admitted – and Tim Axer was well prepared, also thanks to Alexander Neufeld: “Despite his illness, he followed everything online in live streams and was well prepared for anyone. Time was available by phone, even during competition. I think failure was worse for me than that,” laughs Tim Axer. As he fought an exciting, very strong contest with his European competitors and finished the preliminary round in an incredible third place. The German Swimming Association youth national coach Anne-Katherine Hoffmann was also very surprised and impressed. Because Tim Axer was in age group A – born between 2004 and 2006 – the youngest In the pre-fight, he even surpassed the second German starter. This result naturally earned him a place in the final of the twelve best starters.
Next Highlight: Youth World Championship
Again strong nerves were needed, as all the finalists showed great jumps and excellent diving steps. In the end, Tim Axer took a well-regarded, very good 5th place finish in the final. In the end, his German teammate also won the gold medal. But even without a medal, Tim Axer received much praise from national coach Anne-Katherine Hoffmann after his first European Youth Championship. And even though the official nomination by the German Swimming Association is still pending, Tim Axer can already look forward to the next highlight with pride and anticipation, the youth world championships: “I should start for DSV too”, because Tim Axer Has completed the required marks and placement. For Gymnicher, the next few weeks will be marked by preparations for Canada, where the World Youth Diving Championships will take place in November. And so Tim Axar keeps going – with new top performances and top spots, maybe even at the youth world championships in Canada.
