Unsinkable Leon Marchand! In Fukuoka, during the World Championships, the Frenchman won his third title on Thursday. After the 400m medley – during which he won the world record for the distance which belonged to Michael Phelps – and the 200m butterfly, Léon Marchand imposed himself head and shoulders during the 200m medley (in 1’54”82) ahead of the British Ducan Scott (1’55”95) and Tom Dean 1’56”07). He offers himself the 5th world title of his young career (after 2 coronations in Budapest in 2022).
The Toulousain (21) had chosen to skip the 200m breaststroke to be able to improve his performance in the 200m medley and achieve a time. He broke the French record and the European record, signing the 3rd time in history (behind the Americans Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps). “It’s been amazing for four days,” he smiled as he exited the pool.
Léon Marchand, at the end of a controlled race (4th reaction time, 4th after the butterfly, 2nd after the backstroke, 1st after the breaststroke, before finishing strong with the freestyle) marked by long flows (his trademark ) who widened the gaps, once again showed amazing punctuality and serenity.
The Toulousain is already registered as the most successful tricolor swimmer at the world championships (with 5 titles, he is ahead of Camille Lacour 4, Laure Manaudou 3 and Florent Manaudou 2…). And becomes the first to win 3 world titles in the same edition. A prodigy, a phenomenon. Léon Marchand is not quite done with his crazy week. He is expected to compete in the 4 x 200m freestyle and 4 x 100m medley relays. To expand his collection. Take the French team in its wake.
