By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- For Max Langenhan, tobogganing comes near a mission of life, and exertions of all kinds seem just a side effect for athletes who must overcome various obstacles on their way.

After all, the pain didn't stop the 25-year-old sports soldier, who started with a broken foot at the 53rd FIL Luge World Championships on the 2010 Olympic track in Whistler,Canada, from harvesting three gold medals.

Langenhan completed the triumphant German week one year ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.

12 medals turned the team of newly promoted head coach Patric Leitner into the dominating force ahead of Austria (5 medals) and the United States (3 medals).

"We have achieved something incredible, this was a perfect team effort," the German coach stated after five gold, four silver, and three bronze medals: not to speak of record-setting veteran Felix Loch.

The 35-year-old made his way to the sport's most successful athlete taking his 11th medal at World Championships outpacing Italian legend Armin Zoeggeler aside from holding the sports speed record, having overtaken German legend and three-time Olympic champion Georg Hackl, who is meanwhile part of the Austrian coaching staff.

Despite the injury he has suffered from December 2024, Langenhan spoke about a perfect competition. "We didn't expect in that way. We knew we were prepared perfectly, but this goes beyond all dreams."

German athletes managed to turn up on the medal podium in all six competitions.

Loch spoke about "dream days" as you can't end up better. What is striking after this success is the team's unbreakable spirit.

German hero Langenhan said the team is benefitting from the vast experience of veteran Loch, "as we all can adopt from his knowledge and add our passion for the luge sport."

Regarding the 2026 Games in Italy, the German said, the team might be among the favorites, "but it's still a long way to go. For us, it is important to continue our intense work and keep on track," Langenhan said, adding: "The success and spirit makes you forget about your pain." Enditem

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