Interview with Frederic Xhonneux, Icosathlon all time n° 5 (0)

Multievents in the 21th century. Part VI

Fred when did you start with sport and when fell your eye on athletics?

I was 7 years old when I started with athletics. I always did a lot of sports outside of athletics, but only athletics with a club.

When did you hear about decathlon and when about Icosathlon?

My coach for young people (Leo) had told me that the decathlon was the most beautiful event (I had 10 years at that time) and he found that I was made for decathlon. I know the existence of the icosathlon since I was a junior. I had envisioned at the time to break the junior world record, but I preferred to give priority to the decathlon.

Delft 15 – 16 September, your first Icosathlon. Was it what you expected?

It was consistent with my expectations. Less hard maybe, because I thought I was very careful in races of more than 200 m. I was a little disappointed with my performances in the events of the decathlon to which I am yet accustomed. I was well-informed on this event with athletes who had already experienced this adventure and it was a famous experience

How would you describe intuitive the differences between decathlon and the Icosathlon. What’s the difference in atmosphere and personal feelings?

The difference is you have to move on all the time and it requires to measure – to dose from the start till the end. In decathlon, it's all to the bottom! In ico, if you run the 400 m at 100%, you’re dead for the rest! The difference is also muscle fatigue. All the time very heavy legs. The warming up of the 2nd day was very complicated because I was incredibly stiff. The hamstrings much suffered. The atmosphere between athletes is excellent, as in deca, but as there is more suffering, there is even more mutual assistance! The classification is less important in icosathlon.

Could you have done better or where you pleased with the result?

I could have done better in every event. I was satisfied with high jump, javelin, steeple chase, 3K, 5K and 10K. Having regard to the end of the season, I lost a bit of explosiveness. I could take more risk and move faster in the 400 haies-800-1500 m, but knowing what there was still coming, I kept under wraps. I also had a few cramps in the calves in the 400 m who was also too slow.

Disappointments?

Disappointed with the hammer. I begin with two draws, so I needed to throw on safe. Misfortune in the triple jump, that I'm not on the board on the first try and bad luck in the 2nd (at +/- 14 m 20). Pole vault, not enough speed probably, I had to jump much higher, in fact I lost a lot of points.

Do you follow Icosathlon? Did you know that only two national records where better than yours?

I didn’t know I had the world’s 5th performance, but I knew the record of the world and of Europe. I followed with curiosity and pleasure the results of previous years.

Do you think the European or the world record is possible if you train for it?

The European record seems possible, although you need at least warm weather! The world record is astronomical! If I tried in 2008 before my rupture of the Achilles tendon (2009), maybe I could have come close. Detmer has managed an incredible performance.

Did you prepare a special training for the “double”?

I have trained all year for decathlon. Then just a month for the icosathlon. I have maintained the usual tests and have done three times each new technical race (200 h, 400haies, triple and hammer). I did a little more aerobic including a session on bike to not solicit my joints to much. I lost 2kg by making more endurance.

Is an Icosathlete a more versatile athlete than a decathlete?

You can’t do more “complete” than the icosathlon! Decathlon is very complete, but it’s about explosive events (except the 1500 that I find now very short). The icosathlon is very rich in its variety. I love athletics and even though I am a decathlete, I wanted to do more tests such as the triple hammer, 400 hurdles. The big difference is that you must appreciate the long distances... which is not often the case with a decathlete.

Do you think Ashton Eaton can break the record?

That’s a certain fact!  Maybe he won’t be very powerful on 5 and 10km, but he will take such big advantage in points in the events of the decathlon + 200 - 400haies - triple that he could wander in the long distances! Let us not forget what a damn fast 1500 m he has! This could be a challenge to propose to him, he can do 15.000pts!

12 Theoretically or say statistically you can at least become the number four all time. (Aivar Ojastu 13.332 points.) Is that a challenge or do you think to try again?

Currently I don’t even know if I'll do it again. But I do not exclude this possibility. In that case I would try to approach as close as possible the European record. The experience of a first participation will be very useful to improve myself.  I invite all colleagues decathletes to this challenge. It really is a special experience with athletics “in its entirety” ... and a very intimate meeting with suffering!

Current standings All Time Icosatlon

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Chris Vlamynck and Janek Salmistu for Decathlon 2000