Wellbrock targets gold after fastest 1,500m freestyle qualifier in Singapore
SINGAPORE: Germany’s Florian Wellbrock is on the hunt for more gold as he qualified fastest for the 1,500 metres freestyle final at the World Championships in Singapore on Saturday. The 27-year-old, fresh off a historic clean sweep of all three open water events — plus a team gold at Sentosa Island — clocked 14:44.81 to lead the heats.
Wellbrock narrowly edged Tunisia’s 800m champion Ahmed Jaouadi by just 0.14 seconds, setting up a thrilling finale. Among the top contenders for Sunday’s final are Bobby Finke of the USA, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, and Australian Sam Short.
Defending champion Daniel Wiffen of Ireland, who made history as the nation’s first male swimming world medallist, will miss the final due to lingering effects of appendicitis. His absence opens the door for a new champion in what promises to be a fiercely competitive showdown.
