Florian Wellbrock Swims 3:44 400 Free on Night Two of Germany’s Olympic Qualifier
The 2021 German Olympic qualifying meet #2 continued Saturday from Berlin, the host of the 2002 European champs and numerous World Cup meets.
The best swim of the day came from world champion Florian Wellbrock in the 400 freestyle, who beat the stacked field with a 3:44.36, ahead of Lukas Martens (3:44.86) and Henning Muhleittner (3:45.36), who were both under Germany’s Olympic standard of 3:46.40.
Wellbrock may end up dropping the 400 from his program in Tokyo as he will likely do the 800 and 1500 as well as the 10K, the latter two being the events he is the reigning world champion in. All three men are currently ranked in the top ten in the world for 2021.
The women’s race produced a similarly thrilling race with 200 champ Isabel Gose coming out on top with a 4:05.19 over 1500 Worlds silver medalist Sarah Kohler (4:05.99) and Leonie Kullmann (4:06.25). Kohler may likely drop the 400 from her program as well, just like her fiancee Wellbrock as she will be a medal contender in both the 800 and 1500 come Tokyo.
Germany qualified a women’s and men’s 4×100 free relay for Tokyo as Annika Bruhn led the 100 free field on the women’s side at 53.96 ahead of Lisa Hopink (54.65) and Marie Pietruschka (54.73) while Hannah Kuchler was fourth at 54.88.
The men’s 100 free field was led by Damian Wierling, who qualified individually with a win at 48.48, ahead of Marius Kusch (48.91) and Christoph Fildebrandt (49.05) with Josha Salchow (49.09) in fourth.
Florida’s Eric Friese was a 49.05 last week in Mission Viejo, which solidified his spot on Germany’s Olympic team for the 4×100 free relay.
2017 Worlds silver medalist Franziska Hentke was the lone swimmer in the 200 butterfly final as she swam a 2:09.68. Hentke is already off to her second Olympics this summer as she has already reached the qualifying standard in this event. Ramon Klenz was the lone representative in the men’s 200 fly as he won with a 1:56.64, which was off the desired standard of 1:56.30.
The men’s 400 IM saw Jacob Heidtmann get under the Olympic standard with a 4:14.00, although he is already on the team for Tokyo. Kim Herkle won the women’s race at 4:41.76, although missed the desired time by three seconds.
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