Berlin – Lisa Unruh shot herself in the hearts of millions of German TV viewers in Rio with a distinctive fishing hat, fulfilled a childhood dream with the silver medal – but she couldn’t fully enjoy it. After the greatest success of her career, the Berliner plagued an inner dichotomy, the missed Olympic qualification of her friend Florian Kahllund put pressure on her mind. “It hurts to leave your partner at home and to hold back your own happiness so that the other is not hurt,” Unruh describes her emotional state in retrospect.
It’s good that you are spared such remorse in Tokyo. In the meantime, Florian Kahllund has not only become her husband Florian Unruh, but can also sniff the Olympic air in 2021. “It is special that the partner is also on the national team and that we can share everything with one another. All the successes, but also defeats, major competitions and now the Olympic Games too, “enthused Lisa:” That is very, very nice. “
Unruhs chance of a joint mixed start
And the Olympic program means well with the dream couple of German archery, who have been married since 2020, and the mixed competition is also Olympic for the first time. In theory, the unrest could even reach for precious metal together on Saturday. “Certainly it would be very nice to be able to shoot with Flori Mixed, but there are also two other strong shooters who are also eligible,” said Lisa Unruh.
While Florian is the only German man eligible to start the mixed competition in Tokyo, his wife has to face an internal elimination with Michelle Kroppen and Charline Schwarz. The best of the trio in the individual qualification on Friday receives the starting place. The Unruhs have already proven that it works together in terms of sport.
Florian Unruh and his drama before Rio
In 2017, Lisa and Florian won silver at the World Cup together, and they spend seven hours a day on the archery field. “It would be a great experience, but I don’t think that it brings any real advantage in competition because we also have to shoot and score well individually in mixed,” said Florian. The 2014 European champion experienced his very own drama before Rio.
He himself secured the Olympic quota for the German team, but then lost to Florian Floto in the internal qualification and had to watch the major event. “I was very disappointed that I wasn’t allowed to drive, but at the same time glad that Lisa had made it,” he remembers. After that, there was an unconditional will to go “together” to Tokyo.
Lisa accommodated the Olympic postponement after a shoulder operation in October 2019. Meanwhile, the federal police officer is back in top form.