Swimming: World Aquatics Championships - Fukuoka 2023 (Open Water 5km) |19 July 2023

Improved chrono for Damien Payet and Sofie Frichot

Compared to their performances in the 10km open water challenges at the ongoing World Aquatics Championships, taking place in Fukuoka, Japan, local swimmers Damien Payet and Sofie Frichot stepped up their game in the 5km races, improving their time and ranking.

In the 5km men’s race yesterday at the Seaside Momochi Beach Park, Payet clocked 1 hour 1 minute 56.40 seconds (1h1:56.40) to finish 57th out of 71 contestants from 44 countries.

Once again it was German Florian Wellbrock who crossed the finish line first, clocking 53 minutes 58.0 seconds (53:58.0), finishing ahead of Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri who was the runner-up in 54:02.05. Another Italian – Domenico Acerenza – finished third overall in 54:04.02.

In the women’s race, Frichot clocked 1h13:46.0 to finish 55th out of 59 swimmers from 39 countries.

As it was the case for the 10km race, Leonie Beck of Germany once again topped the group, finishing first in 59:31.07, ahead of Sharon van Rouwendaal of The Netherlands who was second in 59:32.07. Brazilian Ana Marcela Cunha was third overall in 59:33.9.

Other than the open water swimmers, Seychelles is also being represented at the championships by two other swimmers, namely Felicity Passon and Simon Bachman.

Roland Duval