Decathlon contender Cedric Dubler lack of prep time brought into sharp focus

BRISBANE’S decathlon medal contender Cedric Dubler has not trained in the javelin for seven weeks, which should raise concerns for cameramen everywhere.

Cedric Dubler is a strong medal hope in the decathlon. Pics Adam Head

BRISBANE’S decathlon medal contender Cedric Dubler has not trained in the javelin for seven weeks, which should raise concerns for cameramen everywhere.

It was the javelin that made Dubler something of a social media sensation at the Rio Olympics when he very nearly took out a cameraman by accident with a wayward throw that got viewers joking on Twitter.

In his second throw, Dubler let fly a shocker that travelled a mere 15m and veered off course to land outside the stipulated area, narrowly missing a TV cameraman.

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Cedric Dubler is a strong medal hope in the decathlon. Pics Adam Head

A horrified Dubler rushed out to check the man was not injured but could later see the funny side, tweeting: “Almost killed a cameraman. How embarrassing.”

Since his Olympic escapade Dubler has fought back strongly and his personal best total in the 10-event decathlon in winning at the national titles in February makes him the third best in the Commonwealth over the past two years behind Canada’s Commonwealth champion Damian Warner and Grenada’s Lindon Victor.

Dubler competing at the Rio Olympics. Picture: Brett Costello

Dubler after his last javelin throw almost hit a cameraman. Picture: Brett Costello

Dubler finishes the 1500m in the Men's decathlon in Rio. Picture. Phil Hillyard

But a torn ligament in his right elbow will not be tested until Tuesday, when the javelin is the ninth of the 10 events in the two-day decathlon at Carrara Stadium.

“The plan is to get one good javelin throw out there and walk away,’’ three-time national champion Dubler, 23, said.

“I won’t have thrown for seven weeks when I throw at the Commonwealth Games.

“It won’t affect how I do the discus, pole vault and shot put. It’s been good it has affected only one event.

“I’ll live with what happens after it. Then we have the three-and-three-quarter lap warm down (the 1500m, the 10th and last event).’’

Dubler, who rates Olympic bronze medallist Warner the gold medal favourite, hopes to be in medal contention by the time his moment of truth arrives in the javelin.

Dubler has to overcome a troublesome elbow on the Gold Coast. Pic: Adam Head

The “all in it together’’ mindset of many international decathletes shone through when Dubler agreed to loan a pole to one of his competitors from Grenada, believed to be Kurt Felix, for pole vault competition.

Sunshine Coast’s former Olympic pole vaulter Ray Boyd contacted Dubler’s coach Eric Brown, asking for the favour.

“Ray asked if I would have a 4.75m pole with a certain flex and I said I’d bring one from Brisbane,’’ Dubler said.

“It comes down to the camaraderie between the decathletes. Any way I can help, I will.’’

Originally published as Decathlon contender Cedric Dubler lack of prep time brought into sharp focus