Maxime Grousset ended the French Swimming Championships in style by winning the 100m butterfly final with great time and undisguised joy, Friday in Rennes. Grousset won in 50 sec 61, setting a new French record, and thus validates his participation in the World Championships in Japan in five weeks, on this unusual distance for him. “I only do front crawl, the few times I did pap, I hurt my shoulders a little, it was a bit complicated. But it seems that hard work pays off,” welcomed the New Caledonian.
After an average time in the morning series, Grousset was confident of having the margin for the evening final. “I didn’t think so much!” he said. “But I felt good. I left and trusted myself. We do not know what we are capable of, it is better not to set limits and go for it. The previous record was held by Mehdy Mettela in 50 sec 85. With this time, Grousset also signs the second best performance of the year behind the Canadian Josh Liendo (50 sec 36). “We will meet at the World and we will see who is the strongest”, he announced.
During the week, the vice-world champion in the 100m also achieved the minima for the Fukuoka Worlds in the 50m and 100m freestyle. “I only did super lap times, I got three first places and a good second place. It was good,” he summed up, jumping for joy like a kid coming out of the pool. “When we break lap times, it’s always a pleasure, we are always in this search. Breaking down these barriers, without necessarily being expected, is a pleasure,” he added.
On the last day of competition, Fantine Lesaffre and Cyrielle Duhamel joined the blue contingent for the Worlds by going below the minimums in the 400m medley. “I have five weeks left to work for this summer,” rejoiced Lesaffre. On 1,500 m, Damien Joly, crowned champion of France, will be accompanied by David Aubry, back to his best level after a long slump.
A total of 32 swimmers won their ticket to the Worlds during these French Championships, the only opportunity for them to qualify for the world event. “I think it’s a good record in the sense that times were tougher,” said National Technical Director of Swimming Julien Issoulié, who welcomed the “competition” and “emulation” within the Blues.
With five titles in as many races, Léon Marchand, possibly announced as the big star of the Paris Olympics next year, will have been the attraction of the competition. “I thought he had a good week,” continued Julien Issoulié. “He responded present, managed to chain the races and made very interesting times. It’s been a week full of learning for next year.”