World swimming championships, big disappointment for Gregorio Paltrinieri

The 10 km swim was won by Germany’s Florian Wellbrock

Far from a lucky night for blue swimming. There was much expectation for Paltrinieri in the 10 km swim at the World Championships in Fukuoka but the Italian disappointed, placing “only” fifth. A race dominated by Germany’s Wellbrock who finished, deservedly, in first place. Remarkable was the fourth place of Acerenza, one step away from the podium. Silver medal for Rasovszky while the bronze medal was won by the other German Klemet.

Paltrinieri, one of the big favorites to medal, had so many difficulties in the water, confirming a revisable physical condition: “Since January I had to stop six times, for various reasons, at least for a week. I also stopped last week. I tried to defend myself and it was not enough. During the last lap I was finished.”

A great disappointment but also the desire to try to redeem himself: “I will try to do something in the 5 km,” the words of the Italian, intent, however, to make his mark at the World Championships in Fukuoka, despite arriving there not in top condition. For Italy, therefore, one of the possible medals at the World Championships fades away. The hope is that, soon, the first Italian joy will arrive at the rainbow event in Japan.