By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Frank Stabler's story might be one of the most unusual ones in German sports.
It is not only about his three world wrestling titles in three weight categories and a European trophy. It is about enormous discipline, unbreakable passion for his sport, integrity, and life as a figurehead aside from the glamorous stages professional football or basketball are providing.
Ahead of the 2019 World Championships starting 10 days later in Kazakhstan, the 30-year-old Swabian might be facing the biggest challenge of his career, lifting again the world trophy and winning an Olympic medal in Tokyo 2020.
After the international wrestling association United World Wrestling (UWW) decided to skip his traditional weight category leaving 67kg and 77kg at the Olympic Games, the brave German went for the lower class.
"This is maybe the last challenge in my life as a wrestler," he told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Choosing the higher class would mean to face athletes coming down from higher ranges competing with much more body mass.
"Reducing weight that much is like going through hell," he commented. To "boil off weight" by strictly following a well-balanced food plan is nothing new for the 1.74-meter tall athlete. He has done that often before, but never to that extent.
He called his effort "project 67."
Hot chilis, ginger, and spicy herbs are mentioned by him to be helpful to "keep the engine running." Not to speak of white sugar as a no go aside of "no carbohydrates after 6 pm".
June 27 through has been a special day as Stabler turned 30 and enjoyed a big piece of cream cake. He was overwhelmed by the feeling of its taste, he said.
But delicious flavors remain a big exception as wrestling on the highest level doesn't excuse any missteps.
"I desire to prove what is possible, to encourage young kids to follow their dreams and teach the values of sports in general," Stabler emphasized, adding that he took up children's coaching and to coach young wrestlers might be a future job after his athlete's career.
"Going abroad might be an option, and, yes, why not China as it is a country with a great sportsmanship," he said.
Stabler's story is also about having no fears when setting high goals regarding his family background.
Grown-up on a farm near Stuttgart, nothing seems to bring the wrestling champion to rest. Several years ago his home club decided to abandon wrestling, and since then Stabler is training in a former cowshed aside of grain "mountains" his father has harvested.
"We always hope he can sell as much as possible as this means for us to have more space for training," he said with a smile running over his face.
His newest diet seems to make him even more hungry than ever before. "I have changed many parts of my life completely to reach my goals," he said. After all, facing his newest challenge, he can't count on many experiences.
As wrestling is only a niche sport in Germany, Stabler has to face opponents counting on much more support by their countries. Some of them have been rewarded with enormous amounts of money.
"I don't mind some of them being millionaires. I have stopped to compare wrestling in Germany with other countries. I see a challenge in beating the world's best," he said.
