Gregorio Paltrinieri has claimed his 17th World Championship medal in open water. © ANSA / CIRO FUSCO

Swimming World Championships: Only Wellbrock beats Paltrinieri in open water

Florian Wellbrock won the gold medal in open water at the World Swimming Championships in Singapore, which were dominated by discussions about water quality, and prevailed against the Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri in a thrilling competition.

July 16, 2025

From: dpa/sn

The 27-year-old German prevailed in a very strong ten-kilometer race ahead of Gregorio Paltrinieri of Italy. For Wellbrock, it was the sixth open water world championship title of his career, and for Paltrinieri, the 17th overall.

But the success is surely a very special one for him. After all, Wellbrock won just under a year after experiencing huge disappointments at the Paris Olympic Games. Wellbrock was unexpectedly eliminated in the preliminary rounds of the 800 and 1500-meter freestyle and also missed out on the medal he was hoping for in the open water race on the Seine.

Several postponements due to water quality

He handled the difficult conditions at Palawan Beach best. His race had previously been postponed once, and the women's race twice, due to poor water quality. Measurements had shown that the limits specified in the rules were exceeded. These are intended to protect the athletes' health. Now the organizers have given the green light.

With the water temperature officially at 30,4 degrees Celsius and the heat even higher on land, Wellbrock swam in the leading group from the start, even leading most of the way. On the final lap, he also fended off Paltrinieri's attack and held on to first place. The Italian ultimately had to settle for silver. Bronze went to Australian Kyle Lee.