If it were up to Michelle Kroppen, the weather forecast for Wiesbaden this weekend could be a little better.

For the archer who is on the field at the German championship (DM) in archery, that definitely plays a role.

“Perfect weather is a light cloud cover, no sun, no wind and a humane temperature.

We call that record weather, ”says the 25-year-old.

Now a few raindrops are announced, at least for Saturday.

Kim Maurus

Volunteer.

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The motivation of the medalist from Tokyo is not hampered, even if the nervousness will be “not quite as great” as at the Olympic Games. With her colleagues Lisa Unruh and Charline Schwarz, Kroppen won an Olympic bronze medal in the team competition a few weeks ago. This weekend, the shooter will compete with her team-mate Unruh, and 20-year-old Schwarz will start in the junior class. “Archery is and will remain an individual sport,” she says of her relationship with Unruh. “When it comes down to it, we know: we are competitors. But we also grant each other the title. "

Kroppen has a good chance of reaching for it. In the junior area she is three times German champion, three times as an adult she took part in the German championship. It just hasn't been enough for first place. The recurve women will definitely choose a new title holder, because in 2019 Elena Fischer, who has since retired, won. "Because last season went well for me, I would be happy about a win," says Kroppen.

But she doesn't want to underestimate her opponents.

The special thing about the German championship is that amateur shooters can also take part.

"We as cadre shooters are, so to speak, the hunted," says Kroppen.

"It can also be that an underdog wins." Elisa Tartler and Katharina Bauer, who will compete with her at the World Cup in the USA in mid-September, also have great potential for winners, according to Kroppen.

The defending champion of the men, Florian Unruh, is out this year, he will start at the European Field Archery Championship, which is taking place at the same time in Poreč, Croatia.

Maximilian Weckmüller, the Wieser brothers Felix and Moritz and Cedric Rieger are favorites.

The German championship had to be canceled last year due to the pandemic. Now around 570 athletes of different age groups come together again in the disciplines of recurve, compound and blank bows. The qualifications will be held on the Kleinfeldchen sports facility, the finals on the venerable bowling green in front of the Kurhaus in Wiesbaden. 150 spectators are allowed in the stands there. The green area is a special place for Kroppen. “I hope I can stand on the bowling green again on Sunday, it's just a wonderful atmosphere,” she says. "If you compare it internationally, you can call it the most beautiful venue."