Wellbrock on his way to World Championship gold in Budapest?

Created: 2022-06-24 05:31

Florian Wellbrock wants to take the first step towards defending his title on his parade route.

© Oliver Weiken/dpa

The mission of defending the title is entering the decisive phase for Florian Wellbrock.

The double world champion of 2019 starts in the lead over 1500 meters freestyle.

Lukas Märtens also wants to attack.

Budapest - He has already won silver at these world championships, today Florian Wellbrock wants to take the first step towards defending his title on his parade route.

The 24-year-old top swimmer is required to do more than 1500 meters of freestyle in the preliminary heat.

According to national coach Bernd Berkhahn, second place in the 800-meter distance, on which Wellbrock was never satisfied with himself at major events, gave him "a lot of self-confidence and security in his own form".

Berkhahn is looking forward to an exciting finale on Saturday.

"It could be an even closer race than the 800 meters," he said.

Until shortly before the evening session, which took place without German participation, Wellbrock trained the day before in the Duna Arena competition pool.

He exchanged ideas intensively with Berkhahn.

Required in the lead over 1500 meters

The top favorites over 1500 meters are the same as over 800 meters.

In addition to Wellbrock, American Bobby Finke, who was so strong in the final sprint, Wellbrock's Ukrainian training partner and buddy Mychajlo Romantschuk and Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri have the best chances of winning the medals.

And there's also Lukas Märtens - after all, the world's best on the track.

After an intense first few days at the World Championships with many starts and the silver medal in the 400-meter freestyle, the 20-year-old had already been eliminated in the 800-meter race.

"It is important that he recovers from the head," said Berkhahn.

"You could tell in the 800 meters that he had lost a bit of concentration and bite.

It will be completely different in the 1500 meters.

He would like to attack again and play for the medal.”

Freestyle expert Isabel Gose can also swim for the medals in the final over 800 meters.

For a surprising podium finish, the 20-year-old, who like her boyfriend Märtens, Wellbrock and Romantschuk trains in Magdeburg, would need the perfect race or blunders from the competition.

She's in a "quite good position," said Gose, who made it into the final as fifth fastest in the heats.

Katie Ledecky is again the top favorite for gold there - the best long-distance pool swimmer in the world.

dpa