The German National Championships, which are going to take place next week in Berlin, are one of two obligatory trials for World Championships in Kazan, Russia. German swimmers must reach qualification times twice – at nationals in prelims and finals and they must choose another meet to confirm the times, but for the second rung, the times are set a little bit slower. Already qualified are the so called “Elite squad” with Marco Koch (200 breast), Paul Biedermann (200 free) and Steffen Deibler (100 fly).
The entry lists were published on Thursday, unfortunately Yannick Lebherz scratched because of “muscular problems” – he announced earlier this week on Facebook. And Biedermann won`t swim the 400 freestyle – instead he will compete in the 100 free. He is the current World Record holder in the 400 m LC.
Swimmers to keep a focus on are the members of the “Perspective-team”, promising young swimmers like: Kathrin Demler (19), Lisa Höpink (17), Marlene Hüther (17) or Somnele Öztürk (17) – perhaps one of them can get into the roster for the World Championships.
With all the fast swimming at the moment around the world, there are only a few swimmers with top rankings in the world:
- Marco Koch – 200 breast, 2:10,10 – 1th
- Hendrik Feldwehr – 50 breast, 0;27,76, 7th
- Leonie Antonia Beck – 1500 free, 16:24,56, 4th
- Somnele Öztürk – 200 back, 2:10,36, 12th
But of course a lot of European nations are already done with their national championships and for sure some fast times can be expected from April 9th to 12th in Berlin at “Schwimm- und Sprunghalle im Europa-Sportpark (SSE)”, Berlin, Gemany.
Website: schwimm-dm.de
Entry list: http://www.schwimm-dm.de/meldelisten/
(Links for live timing and online results are not yet available)
