Andreas Kramer became ill before the Finnkampen and the problems continued after the competition at the Stockholm stadium at the end of August. Shortly before departing for Japan, the 28-year-old could barely jog.
But he went to the World Championship in Tokyo.
There he had a few good sessions, but the preparation was not enough to advance on 800 meters.
I gave everything I could but it was too tough, he says.
It has been a bit of an uphill struggle and it showed.
Kramer was halfway in the battle for advancement but then the energy ran out.
On the last lap, it felt a bit tougher than it should feel, he says.
In the second turn and out on the final stretch, there was nothing left.
Also the 16-year-old American talent Cooper Lutkenhaus disappeared directly.
It was definitely tough but I came here to learn as much as I could and compete against the best in the world. But I feel excited about how the future will be.