Martens, Wellbrock, Elendt Spearhead Germany’s 19-Strong Roster For Fukuoka

The German Swimming Federation has released its 19-strong roster for this summer’s World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. The nation has increased its representation from last year’s edition in Budapest where just 11 swimmers competed for Germany.

• SwimSwam 2023 World Championships Roster Index

The women’s side is headed up by the likes of breaststroke ace Anna Elendt, versatile Isabel Gose and newly-minted 100m butterfly national record holder Angelina Kohler.

The men’s roster includes Ole Braunschweig, who recently notched a new German standard in the 50m back, as well as freestyle weapons Lukas Martens and Florian Wellbrock. Just last week Wellbrock fired off the fastest 1500m free of his career, posting a time of 14:34.89 to become the 4th best performer in history.

As of right now, only Gose on the women’s side ranks among the top 5 worldwide this season in an event. The 20-year-old is the 4th fastest performer this season in the women’s 800m free with a time of 8:19.65.

The men’s squad has 3 swimmers ranked among the top 5 in their respective events. Martens holds the top spot in the 800m free (7:42.14) and ranks #2 in the 400m free (3:43.32).

Wellbrock wears the 1500m crown in his aforementioned new German Record of 14:34.89 while he also ranks 4th in the 800m in 7:42.99. Luca Armbruster is the 5th fastest man in the world right now in the 50m fly (23.02).

At the 2022 World Championships, Germany placed 12th in the overall swimming medal table. Individual medalists included Martens earning silver in the 400m free, Wellbrock claiming silver in the 800m free and bronze in the 1500m free and Elendt securing silver in the 100m breast.

On the German lineup for Fukoka, national coach Bernd Berkhahn said, “In the course of the season so far, the nominees and their coaches have done a good job, otherwise the achievements would not have been possible.

“It is now important to prepare the World Championships in Japan just as meticulously in order to place well in the relays as well as top placings in the individual races.” 

Women:  Anna Elendt (SG Frankfurt), Isabel Gose (SC Magdeburg), Angelina Köhler, Lisa-Marie Finger, Leonie Kullmann, Nele Schulze (all SG Neukölln Berlin), Nina Holt (SG Mönchengladbach), Laura Riedemann (SV Halle)

Men:  Luca Nik Armbruster, Ole Braunschweig (both SG Neukölln Berlin), Eric Friese (Potsdamer SV), Oliver Klemet, Lucas Matzerath (both SG Frankfurt), Lukas Märtens, Florian Wellbrock (both SC Magdeburg), Rafael Miroslaw (SG HT16 Hamburg ), Josha Salchow (SV Nikar Heidelberg), Timo Sorgius (SSG Leipzig), Peter Varjasi (TB 1888 Erlangen)