In a competitive race held in warm sea conditions of 30.4 degrees Celsius near Sentosa Island, Wellbrock took the lead around ten minutes in, after an aggressive start by defending champion Kristof Rasovszky, and maintained his position with a calm swimming style.

He finished the race in 1:59:55.5 hours, narrowly beating Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri by just under four seconds, with Australian Kyle Lee finishing third.

This victory signifies a strong comeback for Wellbrock after a series of Olympic setbacks, including a failure to advance past the heats in Paris, and demonstrates his resilience and improved form.

Looking ahead, Wellbrock plans to transition from competitive swimming to a career in real estate, having completed his training in that field.

The water quality issues had previously affected the women's race and caused delays, drawing criticism from coaches and athletes, but the situation was eventually resolved.

Wellbrock emphasized that the experience of Olympic disappointment taught him the importance of enjoying the sport, and he now approaches competitions with renewed joy and confidence.

Wellbrock's success also adds to his impressive record of medals, now totaling eight golds in world championship events, and highlights his status as a prominent figure in open water swimming.

The open water races in Singapore were initially delayed due to poor water quality, but subsequent tests showed significant improvement, allowing the event to proceed as scheduled.

Florian Wellbrock, the Olympic champion, faced a challenging period after a disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he was eliminated in the heats of the 800 meters and 1500 meters freestyle and finished eighth in the open water race.

Following his setbacks, Wellbrock took time off to reflect, working with a sports psychologist and reducing his training volume, which helped him reconnect with his body and regain confidence.

His efforts paid off when he secured his 11th medal at the World Championships by winning gold in the men's 10-kilometer open water race in Singapore on July 16, 2025, marking his seventh overall gold at the World Championships and sixth in open water.

He also expressed hope for greater recognition of swimming in Germany and suggested that hosting future Olympic Games in Germany could boost the sport's visibility.