See what the athletes had to say following the first medal event at the World Aquatics Championships - Fukuoka 2023 that took place at the scenic Seaside Momochi Beach Park venue for the Women's Open Water Swimming 10km competition.
FUKUOKA - Leonie Beck left no doubt about who's been the most dominant female performer of the 2023 season as the German utilised a burst of last-lap speed to open a gap on a reduced leading group en route to securing the first gold medal of the World Aquatics Championships. Australia's Chelsea Gubecka animated the race early, then pulled away from the remaining lead pack to finish 4.1 seconds back of Beck and earn silver.
The race for the world bronze - and the last automatic qualifier spot for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games - came down to a three-way battle between Sharon van Rouwendaal, Brazil’s Ana Marcela Cunha and Katie Grimes of the United States. Defending world champion van Rouwendaal looked to have a slight leading position, but the 17-year-old from Los Vegas, Nevada chose a final short stroke and out-touched her rivals.
They Said
Leonie Beck - Gold Medallist - 2:02:34
Today’s race was really hard and it was a fight. The first half was OK and I tried to conserve my energy. The last lap was a fight to be in the right place for the finish.
I knew that I was racing against the best swimmers in the world. They were all very fast with excellent tactics. I found my way to the front of the pack. I am training in Italy now with my new coach and these training partners are my family now.
Right now I can't believe what just happened, I'm so glad. The last lap was hard but I'm super happy that I got the Olympic ticket.
Chelsea Gubecka - Silver Medallist - 2:02:38
This is my 6th World Aquatics Championships. I've raced 10 kilometres every single time, so I think it's a long time coming, but I'm just sort of starting to get into my group now. I feel like I'm a little bit older and getting wiser by the second.
A massive thank you. Really. It's been a very long career. This is my 11th season on the open water national team, so I'm very lucky to be here. It wouldn't be possible without the people behind me.
Katie Grimes - Bronze Medallist - 2:02:42
Today’s result took a lot of planning and a lot of strategies, and a lot of hard work and dedication. I just needed to believe in myself, that’s what it came down to. I will be competing (in the pool events at the) World Aquatics Championship next week so I am going to focus on recovering and getting ready for that.