Swimming World Championships in Budapest
Wellbrock and Märtens in the final – Elendt in the semifinals
Florian Wellbrock won the 1,500 meter freestyle heat in 14:50.12 minutes. Photo: Petr David Josek/AP/dpa
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The countdown is on for the 1500m freestyle final at the World Swimming Championships. Florian Wellbrock wants to defend the title, his Magdeburg training partners should help him.
Florian Wellbrock and his Magdeburg training group are on target for Mission Gold. The favorite easily survived the 1500 meter heat at the swimming world championships in Budapest, on Saturday he should fish the first German title out of the water in Budapest.
Not only national coach Bernd Berkhahn wants that, but also his training colleagues Lukas Märtens and Mychajlo Romantschuk. All three made it to the finals. Wellbrock in particular should deliver there in a duel with US star Bobby Finke.
The American had defeated the German in the 800-meter freestyle and triumphed in both long-distance pool events at the Tokyo Olympics. Over 1500 meters, Wellbrock’s biggest goal in Budapest is to successfully defend his world title. With silver in the 800 meters, he has gained a good deal of additional self-confidence. This could be seen in the heat, which he swam together with his buddy Romantschuk in great unity and evenness at the top.
fastest of the day
In a time of 14:50.12 minutes, he was fastest of the day ahead of the Ukrainian. “You settle in there, you know each other from training, you know how the other swims. We were completely on target, »said Wellbrock. Nobody was fully exhausted.
He was also pleased that Märtens is also in the finals, which the silver medalist in the 400-meter freestyle did not manage to do over the 800-meter distance. “It was my big goal to show that I’m also capable of longer freestyle stretches,” said Märtens.
Three Magdeburg training partners in the final – what now? Similar to cycling, is there a captain that the others work for? Does one even sacrifice themselves for such a fast pace so that Finke can’t use his almost limitless sprinting abilities after all?
Coach looking forward to close final
No, says Wellbrock. Keeping the pace so high that you can beat Finke will probably be the tactic of all other seven finalists besides him, he expects. “In such a top-class field there is no time for tactical games,” emphasized the open water Olympic champion.
Yes, says Märtens. “Maybe I can help Florian a little,” he emphasized after the prelim. “We are now three from a training group and I think that Flo finally wants to beat the American. Maybe we can work together a little bit.” Märtens said openly and honestly: “If it’s not complete suicide that I’m starting like a savage, I would put my own ambitions on hold.”
And coach Berkhahn? He is looking forward to a final that “will probably be even closer than the 800 meters”. He will give his three protégés individual tactical instructions. “They all swim a little differently due to their physical conditions,” said Berkhahn.