World hammer silver medallist Merlin Hummel has made some big changes ahead of next season, the German athlete who is tells us what, why and how from his winter training trip to South Africa in his exclusive monthly column for European Athletics.
"Change is never easy"
"Every season presents a new challenge. Next year, the challenge for me has been simple — how do I progress after a really successful year?
"The last few weeks have been intense, exciting, and at times a little stressful — but in the best way possible.
"After a successful season that saw me push close to 83 metres, I’ve taken what feels like a major step in my career: I’ve moved away from my long-time coach in order to begin working with a new training group in Frankfurt.
"Change is never easy, especially when what you’re doing is working well. But in elite sport, standing still is the fastest way to go backwards. The improvements required to move from 83 metres to 85 metres aren’t big changes — they’re tiny details.
"And when progress comes down to millimetres, sometimes you need fresh eyes, a new perspective, and a slightly different way of thinking.
"That’s what brought me to Frankfurt and to my new coach, three-times Olympic thrower and German great Kathrin Klaas. She leads a strong throws group there, and I’m proud to now be part of it — especially training alongside my younger brother Matti. Having family close and sharing the daily grind makes the whole journey even more meaningful.
"One of the biggest areas of focus for me now is technique. Last year my work centred on building a “bulletproof” back — strengthening and stabilising my body to handle the loads needed at international level.
"That foundation is paying off. I feel strong, healthy, and physically prepared. Now the emphasis shifts toward efficiency: keeping the speed high, the movement clean, and the technique maximised. At this stage, refining those details is where the biggest gains can be made.
The hunger is back
"Before settling into the Frankfurt routine, I am training with the German national team in Stellenbosch, South Africa — my first time here. The conditions are perfect: 30-degree sunshine nearly every day, great facilities, and a focused training environment.
"While not the entire squad is here, it’s a strong group of throwers, sprinters and support staff preparing for the months ahead. For me, it’s been the ideal place to ease back into structured training after taking a short break from hammer throwing during autumn.
"Getting back into work after a month off has been incredibly refreshing — that hunger is back. My form feels good, motivation is high, and I’m enjoying throwing again. We’ve even managed to squeeze in some volleyball games between sessions, which has become a surprisingly competitive team activity!
“As I finalise the logistics of moving and settle into this next chapter, everything now feels clear. The priorities are simple: train hard, sharpen technique, stay healthy, and enjoy the process.
Let it throw, let it throw, let it throw
“Looking towards Christmas, I’ll be training through — though I still hope for a snowy holiday at home. Snowy winters feel rarer than they used to be, but I actually love training in the cold. Some of my favourite memories are sessions throwing hammer through thick snow, trying to spot where the implement landed under 20 or 30 centimetres of white.
“Conditions might be tough — but those sessions build resilience you can’t replicate anywhere else.
“In athletics, careers are short. At some point you have to trust your instincts and be brave enough to take the next step — even if it feels uncomfortable. My gut told me it was time to move forward, so that’s what I’ve done.
“Now everything ahead feels exciting again — new environment, new coaching, and new goals.
And most importantly: I’m ready to chase that next level in a big year including the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.”