5-minutes interview with Gerd Kanter 26. January 08

Weighing in at just over 120kg, and an imposing 1.96m tall, this weekend’s 5-Minute Interviewee is a true heavy weight contender! It is perhaps no surprise that this 28-year-old Estonian used to be a wrestler... but a wannabe popstar is harder to imagine!
Despite the floppy blonde hair, perfect white smile, and love of nice cars and skinny women, this muscle bound hunk is more Man-Mountain than Boy-Band!

As the Reigning World Discus Champion, and Beijing Olympic favourite, this is an athlete who knows what it takes to be the best. An outspoken supporter of European Athletics anti-doping messages and a man who considers his Coach his most treasured possession, he works hard and takes his sport very seriously. Yet somewhere between training camps he manages to fit in his passion for cars, ice cream and planing his trip to Mars with Mr Bean!!

Yes run, jump and throwers, it is that time again, so let the world around you just slip away, as you prepare to spend the next 5-minutes looking up in awe, at a big man, with big dreams, and even bigger ability, Estonia’s gentle giant... Gerd Kanter

If I wasn’t doing this now I’d be…
!In the car business

A phrase I use too often is …
!I think that……

My ideal night out is …
!With good friends

In moments of weakness I …
!Need some time alone

The best age to be is …
!25

The best bit of my body is…
!My hands

The worst bit is…
!My hair

My most disgusting habit is…
!Not being on time

The most surprising thing that ever happened to me was...
!Meeting my Team Manager Raul Rebane

Not many people know this about me but …
!I was a wrestler for two years

I wish more people would take notice of…
!Figthing against prohibited substances

You know me as an athlete but in another life I’d be…
!A famous singer

Before I die I want to…
!Travel to Mars

In a nutshell my philosophy is…
!It is never too late to learn something new

I drive…
!BMW X5

A book that changed me was…
!‘Will Power‘ former Estonian Olympic Champion Jaan Talts autobiogrophy

The person who influenced me most is…
!My dad

Last good thing I saw on TV…
!An Estonian comedy show called “Ćrazy Radio“

Last piece of good advice someone gave me was…
!Keep away from politics

When comfort eating I choose…
!Ice cream

When I was a child I wanted to be...
!General of the Army

My biggest regret is…
!I have none

At night I dream of…
!Doing big things

The sound track to my life is…
!Gladiator

The best invention ever is…
!The Internet

It’s not fashionable but…
!I like oldschool weightrooms

All my money goes on…
!My house

My idea of perfect happiness is…
!When I throw a World record at the Olympic Games

My most embarrassing moment was…
!When I failed in the 2004 Olympics

My most treasured possession is…
!My coach Vesteinn Haffsteinsson

My favourite quote is…
!Light weight Baby (Ronny Coleman)

My biggest rival is…
!Myself

My guiltiest pleasure is…
!Going to bed too late

My greatest achievement is…
!My World Champion title

My greatest extravagance is…
!Cars

My greatest fear is…
!To get seriously injured

My ideal dinner companions are…
!My friends

The most fashionable thing I own is…
!My Tiger Woods hat

The best compliment I ever received was…
!I am proud of you my son (my dad)

My most important life lesson life has been…
!The key to the success is believing in yourself

Who would play you in a movie of your life?
!Russell Crowe

Where and when are you at your happiest?
!When I step on to the highest podium at the Olympic Games

Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?
!Adrenalin junkie

What have you learned from your travels?
!People who work at the check in desk are not to blame!

Who is your ideal traveling companion?
!Mr. Bean

What’s the first thing you do when you arrive somewhere new?
!Take a shower

What makes you depressed?
!Negative people

When did you last cry and why?
!I don’t remember


QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS

Cat or dog?
!Dog

Skinny or curvy?
!Skinny

Kisses or cuddles?
!Kisses

Salty or sweet?
!Sweet

Night in or party?
!Night in

Cool or geeky?
!Cool

Give or receive?
!Give

Tattoos or piercings?
!Tattoos

Tracksuit or jeans?
!Tracksuit

Winter or Summer?
!Summer


THE ATHLETIC QUESTIONS


What song would you like played as you cross the finish line in a big race?
!Queen, “We are the Champions“

What’s the best after race / championship party you’ve ever been to?
!My gold medal party in Osaka

Will you stay involved in athletics when you retire?
!I could be a consultant

What rules would you change to make athletics / your event more exciting?
!Make the Discus circle bigger

What’s the biggest challenge facing athletics today?
!Athletics loosing its popularity

How would you like to be remembered?
!As the best Discus thrower of all time

What makes athletics the best sport on the planet?
!Athletics is a strictly measurable sport.

european-athletics.org