You won silver on high bar at the European Championships in 2021. How good do you think your chances are of repeating that this year?
Andreas Toba: "Well, I don't think we should think too much about that. We are here, we are well prepared. Everything looks mega cool here, the training hall is cool, the atmosphere in the preparation was good. I'm getting fitter by the day and I've been feeling really good for a long time. Last year was really cool. But you also have to say, there's always a bit of luck involved in everything, but of course a lot of hard work as well. I'm here to do gymnastics as well as I can and, above all, to enjoy this cool event here."
You had the pre-camp in Kienbaum before. How did the preparation go for you? How do you feel for the competition? On Thursday it starts with the qualification.
Andreas Toba: "Normally, when we have to leave Kienbaum, I'm always a bit nostalgic, because I usually get used to it and everything is cool. But now it was really like this that I really wanted to come here. As I said, I'm really happy that we can be here and that I also have the privilege to be here. And I am glad that I am healthy enough to compete here. The preparation went well, I enjoyed it very much. The team had a very cool atmosphere and we are just looking forward to the competition. We can't wait for it to start on Thursday."
Among other things, on your Instagram profile you reported that you had physical problems. Are you now fit as a fiddle again and can give 150 percent at the competition?
Andreas Toba: "It has definitely been a very difficult six months. There were a lot of little things that forced me to take a break from training again and again. Comparable to that, I would say I am probably at 1000 percent. It is getting better from day to day, I feel more and more comfortable and my body is doing a little better every day. I'm just mega excited and hoping that the aches and pains stay away, that I can get through here healthy and get my stuff through reasonably."
What does your training still look like until Thursday?
Andreas Toba: "Yesterday (Sunday, editor's note) was our travel day, today (Monday, editor's note) a bit of acclimatization and getting familiar with the equipment. Monday and maybe Wednesday are the last days where we can really polish up. Tomorrow (Tuesday, editor's note) is podium training, where it's once again a matter of getting to feel the equipment on the podium. And then it's off to the races on Thursday and fire away."
What do you expect from the whole atmosphere in the Olympic Hall and from the spectators?
Andreas Toba: "I've got goose bumps right now because I was just thinking about what we were able to experience with the girls (Sunday: Elisabeth Seitz - gold on uneven bars, Emma Malewski - gold on balance beam, editor's note). The performance spoke for itself. Especially here in Munich, there is no need to hide. On the contrary, the other nations have to be a bit afraid of it. I think the atmosphere will be great and with the audience behind us, it will be even more exciting for us to perform."
Do you get that when the audience is really into the routine or are you completely in the tunnel?
Andreas Toba: "Well, you are very much in the tunnel. But you can always hear certain noises and certain voices. There are always one or two people that you hear in your exercise. Especially when you've done a decent routine, of course you can also hear the atmosphere. When the crowd goes wild, it's really cool."
Let's take a brief look at the European Championships in general. The event combines nine sports under one roof. How do you rate the concept?
Andreas Toba: "It's a bit comparable (with the Olympics, editor's note). There's a little bit of an Olympic feeling here - a flare. That's already cool, and that's why I think it's great that we have the opportunity and the privilege to gymnast here at the European Championships."
Interview: Michelle Brey & Lina Lässer
Photo: Lina Lässer