A German track star dubbed the ‘world’s sexiest athlete’ finished second in the 400m at the national indoor championships in Leipzig last weekend.
With the Paris Olympics less than six months away, athletes are looking to peak at the right moment and the indoor season is now well underway.
Over in Germany, the women’s 400m took place on Sunday, and was won by 17-year-old rising star Johanna Martin.
She took victory in 52.71 seconds, and the runner-up spot went to Alica Schmidt as she crossed the line in 52.95 seconds.
Schmidt, 25, who was described as the ‘world’s sexiest athlete’ by n magazine Busted Coverage in 2017, has become a major name in athletics, thanks in part to her huge following on social media.
Alica Schmidt, dubbed the ‘world’s sexiest athlete’, finished second at the German indoor national championships on Sunday
Schmidt was beaten by 17-year-old rising star Johanna Martin in the final
Schmidt has a huge following on social media, and has revealed that this is a major source of income for her
She posts regularly on Instagram and Tiktok, and has previously revealed that she only earns £600 when competing for her country on the track
She revealed last year that she is heavily reliant on her Instagram and TikTok for income, after claiming that she earns just £600 when competing for her country.
Schmidt has 5million followers on Instagram and 2m on TikTok.
She also opened up earlier this month on turning down a six-figure sponsorship deal as she wasn’t fully behind the brand, despite her modest salary for competing on the track.
However, her athletics career appears to be going from strength to strength as she collected a silver medal behind Martin.
Schmidt was also part of a squad from SCC Berlin that won the 4x200m relay at the national championships.
Reflecting on her performances in Leipzig, Schmidt said: ‘I know what my competition can do. We’re all in a very good mood and ultimately I’m happy that things are moving forward. Also over the 400m.’
Schmidt (right) challenged Erling Haaland to a race last year after previously thrashing Mats Hummels (left)
Schmidt travelled to the Tokyo Olympics three years ago as a substitute for the mixed relay but did not get the chance to run.
She could be in line to compete on the sport’s grandest stage this summer, though, and did her chances no harm at all with her performances at the national indoor championships.
Schmidt went viral last year when she challenged Manchester City striker Erling Haaland to a race after previously thrashing Borussia Dortmund and Germany defender Mats Hummels two years earlier.
Haaland is regarded as one the fastest runners in the Premier League after clocking a top speed of over 22mph last season, but he is yet to accept Schmidt’s call-out.