European bronze medallist Karl Bebendorf clocked a world lead and personal best of 5:18.29 in the unconventional 2000m steeplechase at the Goldenes Oval Dresden on Sunday (31 May).
It also a mark that puts him fourth on the European all-time list for the event.
German steeplechasing is entering a golden era, with Karl Bebendorf and Diamond League Final winner Frederik Ruppert leading the charge — the latter becoming the first European ever to run under eight minutes for the 3000m steeplechase with a staggering 7:57.80 at the Rabat Diamond League on the same day.
But Bebendorf also looks set to contend for European medals in Birmingham this summer, following an impressive victory at the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting.
German stars Mihambo, Hummel, Mabry, Lita Baehre win
Elsewhere on the programme, there were victories for four more of Germany’s leading lights.
European champion and Olympic and world gold medallist Malaika Mihambo produced a season’s best of 6.87m (+1.0m/s) to win the women’s long jump.
Olympic champion Yemisi Mabry (formerly Ogunleye) won the women’s shot put with 19.21m, while world silver medallist Merlin Hummel recorded just one valid throw of 76.90m in the opening round — still enough to take victory in the men’s hammer.
2022 European silver medallist Bo Kanda Lita Baehre won the men’s pole vault on countback from European indoor gold medallist Menno Vloon and 2024 European bronze medallist Ersu Şaşma after all three cleared 5.70m.
Black wins in Forbach
At the Meeting International de Forbach in France, several more likely Birmingham-bound athletes continued their preparations for the summer season.
France’s Isabelle Black, daughter of Great Britain’s 1986 and 1990 European 400m champion Roger Black, showed she has inherited her father’s one-lap prowess by winning the women’s 400m in 51.38.
The Netherlands’ Isabel van den Berg won the women’s 100m in a wind-assisted 11.31 (+2.4m/s), while World University Games silver medallist Veronica Vancardo won the women’s 800m in 2:00.30.