The German Swimming Federation (DSV) has finalized their roster for the World Championships in Shanghai, and one of the country’s most famous swimmers, Steffen Deibler, has made the cut.
When Germany announced their preliminary roster in early June, they included 24 swimmers, though two of them were on a probationary basis: butterflier Steffen Deibler and breaststroker Marco Koch. Though the pair had not made the required German qualifying standards at the National Championship meet, the DSV was giving them one final audition at the Paris Open last week.
Deibler responded brilliantly to the challenge, with season-bests in both the 50 fly (23.34) and 100 fly (52.03): both times that put him in the top 6 in the world.
His teammate Koch was not as lucky. In Koch’s situation, he was suffering from a painful back injury at German Nationals and was urged to withdraw after only one preliminary race. After spending some time rehabbing, Koch was offered the same opportunity at the Paris Open, but it appeared as though his injury was too great. Koch swam only his best event in Paris, the 200 breaststroke, where he put up a 2:13.73. That time was almost a second slower than his prelims time from Nationals, and wasn’t enough to convince the DSV that he was ready for Shanghai.
No problem man. Just wanted to say that you guys are doing a great job on the site!
I think that’s a 52.03, not a 53.02 in the 100 fly haha. A 53.02 would put him about 35th in the world rankings 😉
Yeah, a 52.0 is a lot more impressive, isn’t it? Thanks bud.