The German open water swimmers continue to win the titles at the World Championships: In the third and fourth race there is the third and fourth gold. Olympic champion Wellbrock still has big plans.
The German national anthem becomes a permanent hit at the swimming world championships in open water. Leonie Beck and Florian Wellbrock also won their five-kilometer races in Japan, having previously won gold over twice the distance. Four world championship titles for the same nation in these two disciplines: That has never happened before.
“Runs”, Wellbrock stated after his successfully defended title over five kilometers and laughed. “The athletes support each other. The staff is always there and ready and gives enthusiasm. That is the key to the enormous success this year.”
“Incredible!”, “Wow!”
In the interview zone, the 25-year-old and Beck fell into each other’s arms. “Did you do well”, said Wellbrock. Around two hours ahead of him, Beck swam strongly to victory. After the race, she made a heart with her hands and smiled relaxed at the camera. Like Wellbrock, the 26-year-old had already qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris with her victory over ten kilometers. “Incredible! I never thought I could win gold now”, said Beck. “Wow!”
She held back for a long time in her race and then convinced in the final sprint. She won in 59:31.7 minutes ahead of Sharon van Rouwendaal from the Netherlands and Ana Marcela Cunha from Brazil. The second German starter Jeannette Spiwoks finished 13th.
Unlike Beck, Wellbrock took the lead early and swam the race from the front. The native of Bremen, who trains in Magdeburg with long-distance national coach Bernd Berkhahn, was not put off by the more than 30 degrees outside and 28.2 degrees water temperature. In the sun, the thermometer even showed 45 degrees.
“That we are so superior here: fantastic!”
Wellbrock struck in 53:58.0, 4.5 seconds ahead of second-placed Gregorio Paltrinieri of Italy. Paltrinieri’s compatriot Domenico Acerenza was third. The second German starter, Oliver Klemet, swam in fourth place. Olympic champion Wellbrock won the sixth world championship gold of his career in the sea in front of the Momochi Seaside Park in Fukuoka.
“The fact that we are so superior here: fantastic! I’m thrilled”, said Berkhahn. “I would not have thought that it was still possible to win quadruple gold with the power density that exists internationally and with the science that we use.” With a victory in the relay on Thursday, Germany could become the first nation to win all open water titles at a World Championships.
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After Beck also Wellbrock: German World Cup dominance in open water
He initially left open whether Wellbrock would be there. He still has a lot planned in the pool in the second week of the World Cup, so he could rely on regeneration. On the other hand, he also said: “I’ve now shown that I’m really very fit. We have another team meeting tonight. Then we’ll discuss the exact relay line-up. We’ll have to see everything else then.”