German swimmer Florian Wellbrock, Olympic champion in the distance, became world champion in the 10 km in open water for the second time on Sunday in Fukuoka (Japan).
In the waters of the Momochi Seaside beachpark, Wellbrock finished the race in 1 h 50 min 40 sec 30/100, 18 sec 70/100 ahead of the Hungarian Kristof Rasovszky. He won a second title in this event after the one won in 2019. Another German, Oliver Klemet, took third place in 1 h 51 min 00 sec 80/100.
The three medalists validate their qualification for the Olympic Games in Paris next year.
In the absence of Marc-Antoine Olivier, not selected for disciplinary reasons, the best Frenchman, Logan Fontaine, took a disappointing 9th place more than two minutes from the lead. The other committed tricolor Sacha Velly finished twelfth at 2 min 34 sec.