Neugebauer wins decathlon gold at European Championships, Germany's second medal

Leo Neugebauer clinched the decathlon gold at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, securing Germany's second gold medal of the event. The 26-year-old athlete held off a strong challenge from his German teammate Niklas Kaul, finishing with a lead of just 38 points. Neugebauer's winning score was 8,611 points, marking his second major title after his world championship win.

Sander Skotheim of Norway took the bronze medal with 8,433 points, while another German competitor, Amadeus Gräber, finished in eighth place with 8,162 points. Neugebauer had taken the lead early in the competition and seemed on track for victory. However, he experienced some difficulties, including issues with the pole vault equipment.

"I gave everything, my legs faltered a bit in the last 50 meters, but I pushed through," Neugebauer said after the race. Kaul had moved into medal contention with a strong performance in the javelin throw, coming within 154 points of Neugebauer before the final 1,500-meter run. Despite Kaul being considered the stronger runner, Neugebauer maintained his lead to secure the win.

Kaul's silver medal is his biggest achievement since winning the European title in 2022. Neugebauer's gold was Germany's second at the championships, with Gesa Felicitas Krause having won the first gold medal for the German Athletics Association (DLV) in the 3,000m steeplechase shortly before.

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I gave everything, my legs faltered a bit in the last 50 meters, but I pushed through.