Sven Schwarz and Angelina Köhler were among the winners on the first two days of the German Short Course Championships in Wuppertal.
A seven-strong German team for next month’s World Short Course Championships has already been announced so the meet is about titles and race practice.
Schwarz will travel to Beijing for the global meet that runs from 1-6 December and he posted a 1500 free PB of 14:20.66 to enjoy a winning margin of more than 20 seconds over his nearest challenger. His previous best of 14:22.29 came at the 2024 short-course worlds.
Schwarz’s time elevates him to fourth in the rankings topped by Kaito Tabuchi’s Asian record of 14:14.16 at last month’s Japanese Championships. Sam Short (14:15.10) and Sacha Velly with his French record of 14:19.11 earlier this month are the other men to surpass the German this year.
Schwarz remains third German performer all-time. Florian Wellbrock is the fastest man in history with his 14:06.88 WR from the 2021 worlds followed by Jan Wolfgartner who posted 14:20.44 at the super-suited 2009 worlds in Turkey.
Köhler won the 200 fly in 2:05.90 on the opening night before rattling her German record in the 50, finishing just 0.07 outside in 25.13.
Melvin Imoudu won the men’s 100 breaststroke in 57.56. There were also victories for Jarno Bäschnitt (200 free, 1:43.04) and Noelle Benkler (women’s 400IM, 4:36.17).
Germany Squad For World Short Course Championships, Beijing, 1-6 December
Sven Schwarz
Josha Salchow
Melvin Imoudu
Maurice Grabowski
Malte Grafe
Kenneth Bock
Ole Mats Eidam