Swimming world champion Angelina Köhler has reached the final of the 50 meter butterfly. The 23-year-old initially swam a time of 25.98 seconds in the semi-finals of the title fights in Qatar on Friday evening (February 16, 2024) and thus took eighth place at the same time as the Greek Anna Ntountounaki. In the play-off for the last place in the final, Köhler won in 25.79 seconds.
“You can see that I need the pressure,” said Köhler: “But it was fun. In my first race I wanted too much and missed it.” Swimming in a final again was “important, that’s where I wanted to go, the rest is open.”
The Swedish defending champion and world record holder Sarah Sjöström was the fastest in the Aspire Dome on Friday in 25.08 seconds.
Dutchwoman Steenbergen wins gold in the 100 meter freestyle
In the evening session without German participation, Marrit Steenbergen from the Netherlands celebrated the gold medal in the 100 meter freestyle. Her compatriot Tes Schouten won the 200 meter breaststroke. In the men’s category, Dong Zhihao from China took the title over the same distance. The Spaniard Hugo González won gold in the 200 meter backstroke.
On Saturday, the German medal hopes rest on Isabel Gose. As the fastest in the heats over 800 meters, the 21-year-old qualified for the final in 8:26.49 minutes. She is one of the favorites there. Florian Wellbrock is already called upon in the morning. The 26-year-old, who has not yet been able to fulfill his potential at this World Cup, wants to qualify for the final in the 1500 meter freestyle.