Jürgen Hingsen tips Leo Neugebauer to break decathlon world record
Jürgen Hingsen, former decathlon world record holder, says reigning world champion Leo Neugebauer has the potential to surpass Kevin Mayer’s 9,126-point world record. Neugebauer, 26, agrees it is possible but does not feel pressured.
Hingsen's confidence
Jürgen Hingsen, the former decathlon star whose German record stood for more than 30 years, believes Leo Neugebauer can one day break the world record. The 68-year-old, who won Olympic silver in Los Angeles 1984, told the German Press Agency that everything would have to go perfectly for the 26-year-old to surpass the mark set by France's Kevin Mayer eight years ago.
If things really go optimally, he can achieve the world record.
Hingsen emphasised that Neugebauer still has potential in every discipline. He also described the world champion as mentally solid, noting that Neugebauer shrugs off a weak event and moves on to the next one.
Neugebauer’s response
Neugebauer himself is relaxed about the prospect of breaking the record. After his commanding victory at the Mehrkampf-Meeting in Ratingen, he said he believes the record will fall eventually but has no timeline in mind.
I also believe that it will happen eventually. You just never know when it will happen. I don't put any pressure on myself. I just go from decathlon to decathlon.
With a personal best of 8,961 points, set in 2024, Neugebauer ranks sixth on the all-time list. Only five decathletes have scored higher.
Ratingen performance
At the Ratingen meeting, a traditional multi-event venue and a dress rehearsal for the European Championships, Neugebauer tallied a solid 8,573 points amid high temperatures. The result fell short of his career mark but was enough for a clear win. His 2024 best remains 165 points shy of Mayer's 9,126-point world record, which has stood since 2018.
Meeting in Ratingen
The event also brought Neugebauer and Hingsen face to face for the first time. Hingsen, watching in the stands, was struck by Neugebauer's physique.
He is a model athlete. When you embrace, you can feel where the muscles are. You kind of pat each other down a little. He is already extremely well-trained.
Hingsen added that Neugebauer looks even more impressive in person than on television.
Next target: European Championships
Neugebauer's immediate focus is the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham in August. The world record remains a long-term ambition, but he treats each decathlon as it comes, without added pressure.
