European Champion Lukas Märtens set a highlight at the final station of the World Championship qualification of the German Swimming Association in Berlin. In the 800 m freestyle, the man from Magdeburg defeated his club colleague Florian Wellbrock and improved the world best time of the year in 7:42.14 minutes.
“I have a lot of respect for Flo and all the other big names in our sport, but I’m definitely not afraid anymore,” said Märtens, who last year became European champion and World Cup runner-up in the 400m freestyle for the first time.
Märtens’ girlfriend Isabel Gose set a personal best in the 800 m freestyle in 8:19.65. Only three women worldwide have been faster this year.
The German Swimming Association (DSV) will also be represented at the title fights in Fukuoka/Japan (July 14th to 30th) in six of the seven Olympic relay disciplines at the World Championships. The final nomination will take place on Tuesday. Only among the women did the fastest quartet miss the World Championship standard in the 4x100m freestyle.