Schwing dinosaur Burkhalter on farewell tour

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From a sporting point of view, Stefan Burkhalter is considered a dinosaur. In the summer, the farmer will be 49 years old. He already thought about quitting last season, now it’s definitely time to hang up the flip flops. During the meeting at his farm in Thurgau, Stefan Burkhalter talks about…

Special training because of his age? Burkhalter waves it off. “You still gain 200 kilos when deadlifting!” He can keep up with the boys. However, he needs significantly more recovery time than in previous years. Arthritis in his hands is also causing him problems. “I always thought I was absolutely pain resistant. But unfortunately I was wrong.”

“Even after more than 30 years in the sawdust, it still tingles for the competition,” says the passionate Jasser. The Thurgau wants to take it easy this season. “I don’t have to prove anything to anyone anymore.” However, the 111-time wreath winner still has goals: “It would be great to make another wreath with my son in northeastern Switzerland. That would be a nice end to our time together as wrestlers.”

Almost exactly 29 years ago, on May 1, 1994, then 19-year-old Stefan Burkhalter won his first wreath at the Thurgau Cantonal Wrestling Festival. To this day, more than a hundred should follow. Ten times he was in the sawdust at a federal. In particular, the invasion of Pratteln, on its last ESAF, “Burki” will remember for a long time. At that time, side by side with his son Thomas (20), he entered the arena in front of 50,000 spectators. “It was a goosebumps moment. Thomas stood in front of me. I saw that his knees were really shaking and had to smile a little. But honestly, I felt exactly the same. My legs were like jelly. An invasion like that, that’s incredibly impressive.”

Thomas is the reason why Stefan Burkhalter hasn’t stopped wrestling yet. Last year the son convinced the father to add another season because it was so much fun to travel to the festivals as a couple. Father Stefan can only agree with him. “It is special to share these experiences with each other. But now I’m more nervous when the junior is in the ring than when I have to drive myself.”

The moment will come when Stefan Burkhalter will step out of the sawdust ring for the very last time. How will that feel? “Redemptive!” says Burkhalter without hesitation. “I like to swing, but it also takes time.” In winter, the farmer trains 20 hours a week. How will he fill this time in the future? “With coats!” laughs Burkhalter, “or go to the cinema. And definitely more travel! Stop all the normal things that are now being neglected.”

Source : Blick