200 freestyle world record holder Paul Biedermann of Germany made the first step on the comeback trail leading into the 2013 European Short Course Championships in Herning. Biedermann, who has not competed in nine months, swam this weekend at the Saxon Open Short Course Championships where he needed to qualify for the German Short Course Championships in Wuppertal from November 21st-24th, which will be the qualifying meet for the European Championships.
At the meet Biedermann came away with victories in the 50 freestyle (23.24), 200 freestyle (1:47.69) and 400 freestyle (3:48.05). To ensure a spot on the German team he will need to post the following times in his two main events at the German Championships:
- 200 freestyle – 1:45.00
- 400 freestyle – 3:44.00
Henning Lambertz the Head Coach of the German National Team is confident in Biedermann’s preparation, “I believe that Paul is back in no time again to great strength,” Lambertz told the news agency DPA.
And bieldermann 2009.. I think it would be his best year.. even withouth the suits. he was the only guy on 2008 without a top level suit.. and still managed to do well on 200 free.. 2009 he could have won the 400 free and put up a fight with Phelps.. even without the suits (Considering that the whole field did not use them of course)
Now all Biedermann needs is a reversal of the shiny suit ban and his comeback will be complete!
well, to be fair, he has gone 1:44 high and 3:44 low in textile, so I wouldn’t label him completely as a suit swimmer.
He is the poster child of a suit swimmer
He become, but he was not a pure suit swimmer.. Dave Walters (except with the suits, what have this guy ever done that could be close to World level?) and Zhang Lin are much more than him..