Born in Marburg, Becker took up track and field at a young age and trained at the LAZ Bruchköbel sports club. Initially she took part in a variety of events and completed youth heptathlons, but soon focused on sprinting instead. She won the German youth title over 100 m in 1991, then took German junior doubles in the 60 metres and 100 m in both 1993 and 1994. She made her international debut at the 1992 World Junior Championships in Athletics, finishing as a 100 m semi-finalist.