The 19-year-old erased the previous global mark of 14:30,67 set by American swimmer Bobby Finke in 2024, stunning spectators and teammates alike at the Olympiahalle.
A Historic Swim in the French Capital
The race electrified the arena as Liebmann powered through the water to touch the wall in 14:26,79. Hungary’s Zalan Sarkany secured the silver medal in 14:39,45, while Liebmann’s Magdeburg training partner, Oliver Klemet, took bronze in 14:40,64.
Balancing Elite Sport and High School Exams
Speaking to ZDF after the race, Liebmann admitted that processing the achievement proved difficult. „Das Ziel war von vorneherein, mein Ding zu machen und schnell anzugehen. Dass es wehtun wird, war mir eigentlich auch klar, aber am Ende dann die Zeit zu sehen – das ist unglaublich“, he said. Transitioning to the elite level only this season after winning junior European medals in 2024 and 2025, the young athlete also reflected on passing his Abitur—Germany’s highest school-leaving qualification—earlier in the spring while simultaneously setting a European record over 800 meters freestyle in Stockholm. When asked how he balanced his priorities, Liebmann noted, „Den Weltrekord muss ich natürlich eigentlich nach ganz oben setzen, klar. Aber das Abi war mir auch sehr wichtig. Der Sport ist nicht alles.“””
More Success for the German Team
The record-breaking swim added to a productive meet for the German delegation in Paris. Shortly after Liebmann’s triumph, the mixed 4×200-meter freestyle relay team composed of Lukas Märtens, Jarno Bäschnitt, Linda Roth, and Maya Tobehn raced to a silver medal behind Great Britain, cementing a strong outing for the national squad on the international stage.
