Kevin Kranz is not a brooder.

It's not up to the sprinter to think long and hard about what could have been in the past.

For the 24-year-old, the only thing that counts is that he is on the track at the German Championships in Berlin this Saturday and has the chance to present himself for this year's international competitions - especially for the European Championships in August in Munich.

For a single start over 100 meters there, his best time would have to be increased by two hundredths.

The candidate ran 10.18 seconds in Weinheim at the end of May.

Memories are awakened of 2018, when the Frankfurt raced to the national title for the first time.

His potential and youth raised hopes for a successful career.

But soon the talent suffered one setback after another.

A few months after another triumph in the hall, the performances dropped alarmingly;

The track and field athlete from the Wetzlar sprint team was diagnosed with glandular fever.

The disease paralyzed Kranz for almost a year and a half.

Apparently in time for the Olympic Games, which were postponed to 2021, the Hessian got back in shape.

Once again he was in record time under the roof ahead of the national competition, took second place on the continental level, which – thanks to his position in the world rankings – made him almost certain to be in Tokyo.

But on the way there, the squad member sustained two injuries during relay training: a torn muscle and a tendon.

At first, says Kranz, it didn't hurt that much.

But soon there was the painful certainty that the only qualified German individual starter over the shortest Olympic distance in Tokyo would not be able to take part.

Instead, an operation was scheduled, followed by a two-month break.

There are still deficits

The battered tried to make the best of it.

Kranz, who gave up his training as a police officer two years ago and since then has only lived for his passion, enjoyed the free time that is rare for a top athlete, spent several times in a rehabilitation center in Austria, chilled out, met friends and sat on his motorbike, at least there to feel the beloved rush of speed.

His original running pattern has not yet been fully restored, says Kranz.

There are still deficits at the start, so it doesn't remain "as flat" as it used to be.

"The free sprint isn't as nice yet" as he and his trainer David Corell would like it to be.

This is related to the evasive movements with which the body reacts to imbalances.

After an injury, the affected side must first be trained again in order to achieve the same strength values ​​as on the other side.

Record with the German squadron

Nevertheless, things are already going well this summer.

The personal record was followed shortly afterwards in Regensburg by another with the German relay team, who needed 37.99 seconds for the stadium lap.

This nourishes the hope of a place on the winner's podium in the Bavarian capital with the relay, but also shows how much the competition in our own camp has grown since Kranz's first open-air title.

Not only Joshua Hartmann from Cologne and Owen Ansah and Lucas Ansah-Peprah from Hamburg, who set the new best time together with him, are at the forefront of those who want to challenge him for the title in Berlin.

Kranz is aware that he has a tough fight ahead of him.

Nevertheless, he is relaxed.

"I'm doing great." The little excitement he needs to build up the necessary tension comes of its own accord. The focus is entirely on a solo at the European Championships.

At the World Championships a month earlier in Eugene, he would only be interested in the relay anyway.

"In singles," says Kranz honestly, "I wouldn't have a chance."