David Betlehem and Moesha Johnson took home the final gold medals on offer on the final day of competition at the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup in Golfo Aranci, both winning their respective 3km Knockout Sprint events.
Experienced veterans and rising talent were on display in the Knockout Sprint events, as both podiums featured seasoned names and athletes who won their first ever international medals.
On the men’s side, Paulo Strehlke Delgado and Gregorio Paltrinieri joined Betlehem on the podium, winning silver and bronze, respectively.
For 19-year-old Delgado, this result marks his first international medal in what was also his first World Cup event in almost two years.
On the women’s side - the final event in this stop of the World Cup - it was Isabel Gose and Paula Otero Fernandez who took home silver and bronze, signifying both of their first individual World Cup medals.
Betlehem Leads Men’s Sprint Field
For Betlehem, his win today marks his fifth World Cup medal in this event since it first launched last year. He was also the winner of this event at last year’s stop in Golfo Aranci, proving once again his strength over this format.
Betlehem was disappointed with his performance in the 10km on day one of competition, as despite taking the sprint lap win, he finished 18th overall.
Speaking after the race, he said: “I'm very happy with my performance, especially because of yesterday’s 18th place.
“I felt terrible in the water [yesterday], and got a little bit of a cold [during the week]. I was not very sick, but I was taking medicine the whole week to get better for here. So, I think that's why my last lap yesterday was terrible and I couldn't move as fast as I wanted to.”
Despite his disappointment, his experience and resilience shone through today; allowing him to bounce back stronger.
“I think I'm good when things go wrong in the race,” he said. “I can change everything in my mind and just look at the next race like nothing happened yesterday.
"I always have a new chance the next day, and I can still prove that I'm one of the best swimmers in the world"
Johnson Does Double-Double Following Ibiza Leg
Moesha Johnson’s form has been nothing short of perfect this season, and she proved it once again by touching home first in the Women’s 3km Knockout Sprint event.
Her win today secured a double-double for the 28-year-old, meaning she has won the last four individual events (10km and 3km) at this and the previous World Cup stop.
Speaking on what motivates her, she said:
"I just really like proving to myself how tough I can be"
“I'm not done yet and I think just the knockout really does challenge me and to come away with a gold after two big weeks of racing and a relay this morning, I'm really stoked with that. It's just such a beautiful afternoon and I'm really grateful to be here.”
Behind her in the silver-medal position was Johnson’s training partner, Isabel Gose. Gose has enjoyed incredible success in the pool, including an Olympic bronze medal in the 1500m from the Paris Games.
Gose is now part of a relatively small group of athletes competing in pool and open water events, and said she was really happy to win her first Open Water World Cup medal today.
“I'm really happy, it’s my first medal in an individual event.” Gose also took the opportunity to commend Johnson, adding: “I know how tough she is because we train together, so I think she can really be proud of herself.”
The bronze medal winner was Spain’s Paula Otero Fernandez who said she was ‘just so happy’ to win her first international medal.
The 22-year-old held firm on the final lap as Gose and Johnson slightly pulled away, swimming her own race and putting the final podium spot beyond doubt.
Finishing just outside of the medals was Germany’s Lea Boy, who won silver in this event in Ibiza last week. The fifth athlete home was USA’s Brinkleigh Hansen, who continued her incredibly strong form to match her result in this event from Ibiza.
Delgado Shares Podium with ‘Favourite’ Athlete
19-year-old Paulo Strehlke Delgado not only won his first international medal today, but did so next to his ‘favourite swimmer’, Gregorio Paltrinieri.
Speaking after the race, which very nearly saw him take gold up until the final metres, he said: “I'm really happy. It's my first World Cup in almost two years, so I'm happy to be back at a really good level.
“I've always said, and I’ve told him personally, Greg is my favorite swimmer - I really look up to him. David is a great, great swimmer, he is crazy fast and has such good experience and tactics, so I'm really happy to be there.”
What makes his medal win even more impressive is the fact that he underwent two surgeries last year, and took a forced break from the sport as a result.
"Last year was really hard for me. I had two surgeries last year, so I couldn't swim at all"
“And now coming back and going back home with a medal, it really means a lot.”
Looking Ahead to Final Stop in Setúbal
The final stop of the 2026 Open Water Swimming World Cup will take place from June 20th to 21st in Setúbal, Portugal.
While athletes will now turn their attention to the last stop, many have a firm eye on the overall rankings; in particular those at the top of the table.
On the men’s side, Marc-Antoine Olivier and Andrea Filadelli are tied in first place (1700 points), followed by Sacha Velly (1660) and Betlehem in fourth (1630).
Speaking on this, David Betlehem said: “I'm very happy that at least I got a medal [today] and it's a gold. I'm looking forward to Portugal because it's going to be a big fight for the overall win.
“Because of the 18th place [in the 10km], I'm not leading the overall so much. I'm actually in fourth place. Last week I was winning, so I know I'm in good shape. I just couldn't do my best yesterday. But it happens.”
On the women’s side, Johnson is firmly leading the standings with 2400 points, while Angela Martinez Guillen is in second (1750 points), and Lea Boy in third (1550).