Strong performances and still no World Cup ticket: Melvin Imoudu and Sven Schwarz convinced in the swimming pool in Berlin. Breast specialist Anna Elendt, on the other hand, has to fear for the World Cup because of an injury.
Potsdam’s Melvin Imoudu set a new German record over 50 meters breaststroke at the German swimming championships. The 24-year-old swam the new record of 26.79 seconds twice in Berlin on Sunday (July 9th, 2023).
Imoudu: “Not thought possible”
First, Imoudu improved the record of 26.83 seconds set by Hendrik Feldwehr in 2009 by four hundredths. In the final, the now three-time 50-meter champion was able to confirm the time again and finished 0.41 seconds ahead of Lucas Matzerath, third in the European Championship. “I didn’t think that was possible before. I’m very happy with the time”Imoudu cheered after the final in the sports show.
Still, it wasn’t enough for Imoudu for the World Cup. The German Swimming Association nominated 100 and 200 meter champion Matzerath for the title fights in the second half of July in Japan.
Black: “Wants to attack Wellbrock and Märtens”
Freestyle specialist Sven Schwarz is also not allowed to go to the World Cup, but he was still able to convince in Berlin. Schwarz won over 400 meters freestyle in the absence of World Cup starters Florian Wellbrock and Lukas Märtens. The Hanoverian swam a lonely race in 3:45.92 minutes and won clearly ahead of Marc Sauer (3:56.53 minutes) and Silas Beth (3:57.24 minutes).
For the summer, Schwarz announced an attack on Wellbrock and Märtens: “We have a small long-distance duel, the two are at the World Cup, I’m at the U23 World Cup. I hope I can attack them both.”
Miroslaw: “Doesn’t feel like World Cup form yet”
100-meter freestyle champion Rafael Miroslaw is also looking towards the World Championships. The Hamburger won in 48.62 seconds. He stayed 0.7 seconds below his German record. “It doesn’t quite feel like World Cup form yet. But I’m happy. It’s a good sign for the World Cup.”he said in the sports show and explained: “This year the 200 is a little better for me, we have worked harder for it. Now the fine-tuning has to come.”
thigh strain at misery
Breast specialist Anna Elendt also wants to go to Japan for the title fights. Since Sunday, however, there has been a question mark over the start of the World Cup runners-up over 100 meters. The 22-year-old from Frankfurt decided not to start in the 200-meter race on Sunday due to a strain and said in the sports show: “I’m a bit worried about the start of the World Cup, I’ll talk to the doctors tomorrow and have it clarified.” The champion said about the injury over 50 and 100 meters: “Unfortunately I have mine in the 100m breaststroke on Friday pulled the thigh. I checked this morning to see if it works. The 200 meters this morning did hurt after all. Unfortunately, I had to withdraw from the final.”
Böttcher and Eckart win para competitions
In the Para competitions, Gina Böttcher (start class S4) from SC Potsdam prevailed over 100 meters freestyle against Verena Schott (S6) and Janina Breuer (S14). Böttcher’s club colleague Yannick Eckart (S9) won over the same distance in the men’s race. The 19-year-old junior swimmer won ahead of Philip Hebmüller (S13) and Pascal Rentsch (S14).