The 2023 World Aquatics Championships (Fukuoka, Japan, 14-30 July) continued with the Marathon Swimming events. The top three men and women in both genders at the Seaside Momochi Beach Park would earn their ticket to Paris.
On the men’s side, the sole Brit was Hector Pardoe, who became the first Brit to win a junior medal in 2017 with bronze but did not finish in Tokyo 2020. He finished a respectable tenth, with 1:53:04.20. To get in the top three he had to beat German Oliver Klemet, who got a 1:51:00.80. Two Brits entered on the women’s side, with Leah Crisp having some British titles in the pool over 800 and 1500 metres, with Amber Keegan entering by virtue of an impressive World Cup performance. Keegan was the better of the two on the day, coming 18th in 2:03:30.30, with Crisp 24th in 2:05:03.50. American Katie Grimes was third, with 2:02:42.30.
The next chance for the marathon swimmers will be the 2024 event in Doha, Qatar (2-18 February 2024), where thirteen spots per gender will qualify.
GB Games 