Lukas Märtens had his sights set on gold, grabbed silver and was “super happy” with it. After his second place on Saturday (June 18th, 2022) in the World Cup final over 400 m freestyle, the 20-year-old felt like a winner, although he had lost his lead shortly before the end.
“It was indescribable, a really good race”, said the man from Magdeburg, who brought the first medal to the German swimming team in the first final. At the last turn, Märtens, who started as the best of the year in the world, was still ahead – the first world championship title on this track since Paul Biedermann in 2009 was within reach, but the Australian Elijah Winnington passed him.
Praise from world record holder Biedermann
“I wanted to smash everything again, it just didn’t want to go anymore”said Martens, “but I’m super happy with the time.”
In 3:42.85 minutes, Märtens stayed 85 hundredths above his best time. When IOC President Thomas Bach presented him with the medal and whispered something in his ear, he fought back tears. World record holder Biedermann praised the youngster. “Lukas did very well and held up very well, especially in the second 200 meters. His time will come.”
Three times best of the year
The Magdeburg teammate of Olympic champion Florian Wellbrock, with whom he swims in the strong training group of long-distance national coach Bernd Berkhahn, had already drawn attention to himself earlier this year. Märtens had traveled to the Hungarian capital as the world’s best of the year over 400, 800 and 1,500 meters.
Fifth place for Gose
Freestyle swimmer Isabel Gose also showed a top performance. The 20-year-old was fifth over 400 meters after 4:03.47 minutes. US swimming star Katie Ledecky secured the title ahead of Canadian Summer McIntosh and Leah Smith from the USA. Gose was 1.39 seconds short of bronze.
Despite the good placement, Gose was disappointed afterwards: “I can do a lot more. I don’t know why I can’t use it in competition.”
Synchronized swimmer Bojer is eleventh
The first gold medal of the title fights had already gone to the Japanese Yukiko Inui, who clearly distanced the competition in the absence of the otherwise dominant Russians. The Russian and Belarusian federations are suspended because of the invasion of Ukraine. Synchronized swimmer Marlene Bojer came eleventh in this competition.
“It’s incredible”
“It’s unbelievable. In my fifth World Championships I get the best result, and with a personal best too“, said the woman from Munich, overwhelmed. She managed to score 81.4450 points, more than ever before in the technical freestyle. Five specified elements have to be performed in a certain order, the music can be freely chosen.
Bojer had clearly improved again in the final. “In the prelim, I didn’t do the last two elements so cleanly. I’m very happy that I managed to do it“, she said.
Also with Michelle Zimmer in the final
On Sunday she will also be in a duet with Michelle Zimmer in the final of the technical freestyle. “Of course you speculated a bit from home and dreamed of making it to the final both times.”said Bojer: “It’s a huge success.” In addition, Bojer still competes in the solo and in a duet in the free program.