Angelina Köhler won the 100 meter butterfly final at the World Swimming Championships in Doha. It was the first gold medal for the DSV in the pool since 2009.
The 23-year-old Köhler relegated Claire Curzan from the USA to second place on Monday (February 12, 2024). Sweden’s Louie Hansson took bronze.
Köhler struck after 56.28 seconds. For the first time since 2009, when Britta Steffen won twice in Rome, a German pool swimmer won World Championship gold. With her fantastic race, Köhler secured her third medal for the German Swimming Association on the second day of the competition in the Aspire Dome. On Sunday there was bronze for Isabel Gose and Lukas Märtens.
Köhler: “I love this pool”
For Köhler, the title is by far the greatest success of her career to date. The day before her big triumph, the Berliner had already hinted at her exceptional form. In both the preliminary and semi-finals she improved the German record and was faster than all her competitors. “I love this pool here, I’m perfectly prepared” she said afterwards. “I’m no longer the weakest, I can keep up and swim away from the others in the second lane.“
Lars Becker, Sportschau, February 11, 2024 10:47 a.m
She has a special ritual before the races. “I always listen to Taylor Swift. She means a lot to me” she said of the pop star, who was celebrating with his friend, football player Travis Kelce, his Super Bowl victory with the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night. “I always listen to the music and dance to it before my races because it gives me incredible strength.“At the last World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, Köhler finished fifth.
The four swimmers who were ahead of her at the time were not there this time. The highlight of the season is the Olympics. In order to better prepare, some stars – not just on Köhler’s route – are foregoing participation in the World Cup, which is taking place for the first time in the same year as the Summer Games. It is therefore difficult to estimate what Köhler’s success means with regard to the Rings spectacle in Paris. One thing is certain: the butterfly expert now has her ticket to the Olympics.
Matzerath misses out on an Olympic ticket for the time being
Breaststroke swimmer Lucas Matzerath missed the podium at the title fights in Doha. The 23-year-old from Frankfurt came seventh in the 100 meter final in 59.37 seconds and thus missed the ticket for the Olympic Games in Paris for the time being.
The American Nic Fink won gold ahead of the Italian Nicolo Martinenghi and the three-time Olympic champion Adam Peaty in his World Cup comeback. The British swimming star had missed the last title fights in Fukuoka, Japan, among other things, due to mental problems.