26.06.2022, Ungarn, Budapest: Schwimmen: Weltmeisterschaft, Freiwasser - 6 km, Mixed: Florian Wellbrock aus Deutschland berührt die Anschlagplatte im Ziel. Foto: Uncredited/AP/dpa +++ dpa-Bildfunk +++

Florian Wellbrock won the gold medal in open water swimming over five kilometers at the World Championships in Budapest. The 24-year-old beat his long-time Italian competitor Gregorio Paltrinieri on Monday in the 26.7-degree warm Lupa Lake. Bronze went to Wellbrock’s training partner Mykhailo Romanchuk from Ukraine. Wellbrock struck after 52:48.8 minutes. His lead over Paltrinieri was 3.9 seconds.

For frequent starter Wellbrock it was already the fourth medal in the fourth competition at the World Championships and the second title. Born in Bremen, who trains in Magdeburg, he won silver in the 800-meter freestyle and bronze in the 1,500-meter freestyle. On Monday he also secured the gold medal for the German open water relay team with a strong final sprint.