Editorial content for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships is sponsored by FINIS, a longtime partner of Swimming World and leading innovator of suits, goggles and equipment. World Championships, Day Seven Prelims: Bobby Finke Paces Field Into Final of 1500 Freestyle The United States’ Bobby Finke has given himself a chance to double-medal in the distance events for the third straight time at an international competition. Finke produced the fastest time of prelims in the 1500-meter freestyle at the World Championships, clocking in at 14:43.06. Finke was followed closely by Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen in 14:43.50 and the men will duel on Sunday for the gold medal. Finke was the Olympic champion in the 800 freestyle and 1500 free at the Tokyo Games and medaled in both events at last summer’s World Championships in Budapest. Earlier this week, Finke was the bronze medalist in the 800 freestyle, where he set an American record of 7:38.67. Wiffen was fourth in the 800 free, just off the podium, and confirmed he’ll be a leading contender for the title over 30 laps. Finke and Wiffen can expect challenges from several other athletes, including Tunisia’s Ahmed Hafnaoui. The gold medalist in the 800 freestyle and silver medalist in the 400 freestyle, Hafnaoui had the third-fastest time of prelims, going 14:49.53. He was followed by Germany’s Lukas Martens (14:51.20) and the Ukraine’s Mykhailo Romanchuk (14:52.18). The field for the final was rounded out by Australia’s Sam Short (14:53.38), Kristof Rasovszky (14:54.09) and France’s David Aubry (14:54.29). Short was the champion in the 400 freestyle and the silver medalist in the 800 freestyle. After winning both open-water races at the beginning of the World Championships, Germany’s Florian Wellbrock failed to final in either the 800 freestyle or 1500 freestyle. In the longer event, he was 20th.
