At the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka (JPN) this year, Lukas Martens won bronze in the 400m freestyle to add to the World silver he won in Budapest 2022 and thus continued his path to international swimming success.
The 2022 European champion in the 400m freestyle just missed claiming his first career medal at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup, finishing fourth in the 400m event in Berlin.
The 21-year-old from the central German city of Magdeburg along the Elbe River is starting the new season with a new plan when it comes to the competition routes.
On the way to the Paris 2024 Olympics (26 July – 11 August), Martens now wants to concentrate fully on the middle distances and include the 1500m freestyle in his programme.
“In Fukuoka, Lukas really wanted to try out his full range again. Afterwards, he saw how fast his 200m freestyle was as the starting swimmer in the relay; the time would have been enough for fourth place in the final. And if we now give more attention to it and he pushes the 1,500 meters away, out of training and out of his head, then everything can develop a little further," said German national coach Bernd Berkhahn. “The decision was made after intensive discussions during the summer break.”
Berkhahn mentioned the lessons that Florian Wellbrock learned from his previous Swimming World Cup performance. However, the World and Olympic champion had to cancel his planned Swimming World Cup start in Berlin at short notice due to health problems in the last few days.
“I explained to Lukas that it is good for his base if he swims the 1500 meters - but we shouldn't swim it at international highlights because the training then becomes very broad” added Berkhahn.“I also see Lukas’ potential for development in the 400m freestyle. By concentrating on fewer events, you can get a few percentage points more here, too.”
Article Credit: DSV/RW&