Olympic champion Florian Wellbrock will be in Paris to defend his title next summer after winning the men's 10km at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, on Sunday (16 July).
The German marathon swimmer came home in 1 hour, 50 minutes, 40.30 seconds to finish comfortably ahead of Hungary's Kristof Rasovszky (1:50:59.00).
Oliver Klemet brought Germany the remaining medal, touching in 1:51:00.80. The top three finishers qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
"The qualification for my third Olympic Games, it was really important," said Wellbrock, who is also slated to swim in the 1,500m in the pool next week.
"It’s why every athlete was here to compete. Every athlete tried to win the medals and tickets. I’m also proud my teammate Ollie is going to Paris with me."
The race's defending champion, Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri who World Aquatics named the open water swimmer of the year for 2022, ended up fifth, more than a minute behind Wellbrock (1:51:40.70).
Wellbrock led from start to finish. Rasovszky jousted for the front position three-quarters into the race but then Wellbrock pulled away out of the Hungarian's reach, never looking back.
At Paris 2024, Wellbrock and Klemet will join teammate Leonie Beck, who won the women's 10km event at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships the previous day, giving Germany a formidable trio at the Games.
"I’m so proud of the Germany team. Leonie did an amazing job yesterday, making her way to Paris, and now Ollie and me," Wellbrock said. "It’s so nice to be part of a strong open water team."