German teen Liebmann breaks European record to win 800m freestyle gold at Euros

German swimmer Johannes Liebmann celebrates after his race. Source: Jo Kleindl/dpa

In his first major international championship, swimmer Johannes Liebmann has won gold. The 19-year-old triumphed at the European Championships in Paris in the 800-meter freestyle, setting a new European record. Sven Schwarz took silver.

In spring, Johannes Liebmann shocked the swimming world with three world-class times, including a European record in the 800-meter freestyle. Now, the 19-year-old has claimed his first international title in Paris in triumphant fashion: European gold in the same 800-meter freestyle event, with a time of 7:37.59 minutes — improving his own best mark.

Sven Schwarz, who finished second in this event at the 2025 World Championships and from whom Liebmann had taken the European record, took silver in 7:41.16 minutes.

After medals at Junior European Championships, Liebmann — who also completed his high school diploma in Magdeburg in spring — has only been competing on the big stage since this season, and is immediately at the forefront. In Paris, the native of Eckernförde now has two more medal chances:

• 1500-meter freestyle
• 400-meter freestyle

In the longest pool event, Schwarz also aims to fight for gold. He enters the 1500 meters as the runner-up from last year's World Championships and swam the second-fastest time in the world this year, behind Liebmann. In third place in that ranking is Oliver Klemet, who already finished third in the 10-kilometer open water event in Paris.

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