PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Daniel Ståhl has found his way back to storm form again.
Now he opens up about the big life decision that changed everything.
– At first it was emptiness, then I realized that this is probably right anyway, says the 30-year-old to SportExpressen.
He has won both Olympic gold and WC gold. But in three years have Daniel Ståhl has not won any major international medal and it has been tough times for the great discus thrower.
Ståhl’s shock
At the beginning of the year came the shock news that the Swede’s successful coach Vesteinn Hafsteinsson quits as a coach and moves home to Iceland instead. A very tough announcement for Ståhl, who was therefore without a coach ahead of an important WC year.
– It was a little shocking. Last autumn we had planned that we would aim long-term towards the Olympics in Paris, then the announcement came in January, Ståhl tells SportExpressen.
– At first there was emptiness, then I realized that this is probably right anyway. He has been a discus coach for over 30 years and longs to go home to Iceland. I myself feel that I need to try something new to develop and become better.
The article continues after the picture.
In the last six months, there has been a lot of new things for the 30-year-old. And it has really led to the better for Ståhl, who has found his way back to great form again and is throwing over 70 meters on a conveyor belt again.
READ MORE: Armand Duplantis reveals great anger during the competition in Sweden – forced to act: “Could have died”
New love
There has been a new coach in Staffan Jonsson and much else is very new to Ståhl in his everyday life. At the beginning of the year, Ståhl and the national team colleague announced Fanny Roos that they have a love relationship, which led to Daniel moving down to Malmö and leaving the base in Växjö.
The article continues after the picture.
Since a few weeks ago, Ståhl and Roos have moved in together in a shared apartment in Malmö and they train together every day together with coach Jönsson.
– It’s just neat. Fanny competes for MAI, so it suits her perfectly to be close to her association and the contact network she has here. It’s just a plus, says Ståhl, who is enjoying his new everyday life in a completely new city.
READ MORE: Daniel Ståhl writes powerful sports history – here is the secret behind the Swede’s great success
The only fault
But Daniel Ståhl is also brutally honest about the fact that, as a Stockholmer, it is actually acceptable to now call oneself a Malmö resident. Above all, it is very far from the favorite team Djurgården.
– With such a zoo heart as I have, then it is against all Djurgård principles to live in Malmö, he says with a laugh.
– They get to see an iron stove training here, it’s fun. We usually have lunch at Eric’s (Malmö FF’s lunch restaurant), then you get to see some MFF players and the management, it’s just fun.
Now the “Man of Steel”, as he is called, is charging for the big goal of the season with the Athletics World Championships in Budapest and he will get there in great form. In three of the last four events, he has thrown over the dream mark of 70 meters and recently hit 71.45m, which is his third longest throw of his career.
What do you think of Daniel Ståhl’s new life? Share the article and have your say!