German open water specialist Leonie Beck swims to a gold in Japan

 

JAPAN – German swimmer Leonie Beck has won the gold medal in open water swimming at the World Championships in Japan.

The 26-year-old gave the German Swimming Association team its first medal at the championships in Fukuoka with her victory in the 10-kilometre race on Saturday.

Her victory also secured her qualification for next year’s Olympic Games in Paris.

The German swimmers competing in Japan had had a less than ideal start. After heavy rainfall, they skipped a first training opportunity for fear of pollution in the water.

It was only the day before the race that Beck and the second German starter Lea Boy were able to test the course.