Swimming World Cup in Singapore: “One of the big boys”: medals for black and fairy tale

Sven Schwarz and Lukas Märtens joyfully clapped in the pool and cheered the double German medal coup. On the podium they showed the two -time winning fist. With silver over 800 meters freestyle, Schwarz celebrated the greatest success of his previous career. BronzeWinner Märtens continued to increase its precious metal account at the World Cup in Singapore after gold over half the distance.

“Two people on the podium – that was a long time ago, we can be very proud of it,” said Schwarz and smiled. For Germany, Hannah Stockbauer and Jana Henke recently achieved this feat at a World Cup 22 years ago.

Black swam on the podium for the first time at a World Cup. “I was behind the big boys when I was younger – now I’m one myself,” said the 23 -year -old. “I am Mega Happy to have second place secured. Let’s see what has been coming over the years.” Märtens also stated: “It was a great race, Sven and me.”

German pool swimmers were last more successful in 2009

With its time of 7: 39.96 minutes, Schwarz only had to give up the sovereign champion Ahmed Jaouadi from Tunisia (7: 36.88 minutes). He and Märtens applauded appreciatively when the winner was celebrated by the indoor spokesman.

Thanks to Märtens, Anna Elendt, who had sensationally won gold over 100 meters of chest on Tuesday and was now looking for it in the stands, as well as Schwarz, the German Swimming Association can already look forward to two titles, once silver and once bronze in the pool.

The German pelvic swimmers were most successful at the 2009 World Cup at the time of Britta Steffen and Paul Biedermann. Melvin Imoudu, who took fifth place over 50 meters of breast, missed a surprise – he was missing seven hundredths of a second.

Schwarz: “Had a lot of setbacks in my career”

With its precious metal premiere on the world stage, Schwarz really steps out of the shadow of the German floats of the German floats Märtens and Florian Wellbrock.

In recent years, he had also made good attention to himself in recent years. In contrast to the strong national competition on the long routes, it had not so far not enough precisely precious metal at Olympics or a World Cup.

“I think I had relatively many setbacks in my career, even with the qualification before Tokyo when I had Corona,” said Schwarz with a view to the missed Olympic Games 2021. “It was the goal of winning a medal. Now we have finally done it. I’m proud of it.”

Black goes to others than Märtens and Wellbrock

In contrast to Märtens and Wellbrock, Schwarz is not part of the Magdeburg training group of national coach Bernd Berkhahn. “Of course we are friends, but there is still a certain competition,” he said before the trip to Singapore with a view of the other top swimmers at his distances.

He has worked with coach Emil Guliyev for a long time and trains in Hanover. “He has a different philosophy than Bernd,” said Schwarz. “It shows that there is not just one way.” He now showed impressively that his path can also be successful.

He also wants to attack over 1500 meters freestyle. Until the lead on Saturday, he has a little time to let the success sack. Märtens, on the other hand, are already challenged again this Thursday. Then he starts over 200 meters back in the lead.