Maertens hails German success after world 400m freestyle gold / Photo: MANAN VATSYAYANA - AFP
-
New museum examines family life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo
-
Piccioli sets new Balenciaga beat, with support from Meghan Markle
-
Lammens must be ready for 'massive' Man Utd scrutiny, says Amorim
-
Arteta 'not positive' after Odegaard sets unwanted injury record
-
Slot struggles to solve Liverpool problems after third successive loss
-
Netanyahu hopes to bring Gaza hostages home within days as negotiators head to Cairo
-
Ex-NFL QB Sanchez in hospital after reported stabbing
-
Liverpool lose again at Chelsea, Arsenal go top of Premier League
-
Liverpool suffer third successive loss as Estevao strikes late for Chelsea
-
Diaz dazzles early and Kane strikes again as Bayern beat Frankfurt
-
De Zerbi living his best life as Marseille go top of Ligue 1
-
US envoys head to Mideast as Trump warns Hamas against peace deal delay
-
In-form Inter sweep past Cremonese to join Serie A leaders
-
Kolisi hopes Rugby Championship success makes South Africa 'walk tall' again
-
Ex-All Black Nonu rolls back the years again as Toulon cruise past Pau
-
Hundreds of thousands turn out at pro-Palestinian marches in Europe
-
Vollering powers to European women's road race title
-
Struggling McLaren hit bump in the road on Singapore streets
-
'We were treated like animals', deported Gaza flotilla activists say
-
Trump envoys head to Egypt as Hamas agrees to free Gaza hostages
-
Czech billionaire ex-PM's party tops parliamentary vote
-
Trump enovys head to Egypt as Hamas agrees to free hostages
-
Arsenal go top of Premier League as Man Utd ease pressure on Amorim
-
Thousands attend banned Pride march in Hungarian city Pecs
-
Consent gives Morris and Prescott another memorable Arc weekend
-
Georgian police fire tear gas as protesters try to enter presidential palace
-
Vollering powers to European road race title
-
Reinach and Marx star as Springboks beat Argentina to retain Rugby Championship
-
Russell celebrates 'amazing' Singapore pole as McLarens struggle
-
Czech billionaire ex-PM's party leads in parliamentary vote
-
South Africa edge Argentina to retain Rugby Championship
-
'Everyone's older brother': Slipper bows out in Wallabies loss
-
Thousands rally in Georgia election-day protest
-
Sinner starts Shanghai defence in style as Zverev defies toe trouble
-
Russell takes pole position for Singapore Grand Prix as McLaren struggle
-
Robertson praises All Blacks 'grit' in Australia win
-
Government, protesters reach deal to end unrest in Pakistan's Kashmir
-
Kudus fires Spurs into second with win at Leeds
-
Rival rallies in Madagascar after deadly Gen Z protests
-
Egypt opens one of Valley of the Kings' largest tombs to public
-
Ethiopia hits back at 'false' Egyptian claims over mega-dam
-
Sinner breezes past Altmaier to launch Shanghai title defence
-
Czech ex-PM set to win vote, putting Ukraine aid in doubt
-
All Blacks down Wallabies to stay in Rugby Championship title hunt
-
Gazans hail Trump ceasefire call as Hamas agrees to free hostages
-
Zverev echoes Federer over tournaments 'favouring Sinner, Alcaraz'
-
Yamal injury complicated, return date uncertain: Barca coach Flick
-
Conservative Takaichi set to be Japan's first woman PM
-
Marsh ton powers Australia to T20 series win over New Zealand
-
Verstappen lays down marker in final Singapore practice
NYSE - LSE
Maertens hails German success after world 400m freestyle gold
Lukas Maertens said German swimming had taken a "big step forward" after he won a nail-biting 400m freestyle gold at the world championships on Sunday, to add to Florian Wellbrock's success in Singapore.
Maertens, the Olympic champion and world record holder in the event, pipped Australia's Sam Short by 0.02sec. to become world champion for the first time.
Countryman Wellbrock won four golds in the open water events at this year's world championships and Maertens said the German team were enjoying the fruits of their hard work.
"I think we did a big step forward, the whole team," said Maertens.
"All the girls and guys are a really young team and there are a lot to come.
"Now I'm one of the old guys and I'm 23. That means a lot and I'm really proud to be in the German team."
Maertens came home in 3min 42.35sec after a fierce battle with Short, the 2023 world champion.
South Korea's Kim Woo-min, the reigning world champion, was third in 3:42.60.
Maertens was the favourite for the title after breaking the world record in Stockholm in April, a mark that had stood since 2009.
But Short fought him every stroke of the way, losing out after an incredible tussle to the finish.
"There was a lot of pressure, also as the world record holder, it wasn't easy to fight these guys," said Maertens.
"I tried my best, I gave everything, and I'm really happy and proud to be a world champion now.
"Germany has a new world champion and that's not usual, I think."
Australia's Elijah Winnington, the Paris Olympics silver medallist, surprisingly failed to qualify for the final.
Short finished fastest in the morning heats ahead of Maertens.
F.Schneider--AMWN