Youth takes power in Fukuoaka. At only 21 years old, Frenchman Léon Marchand was voted best swimmer at these world championships.
Highly anticipated during his second world championships, the young Toulousain splashed Fukuoaka with all his class and all his talent. Already triple medalist a year ago in Budapest, the one who trains in the United States has been crowned three times this year – against two gold medals and one silver last year.
During his first test, Léon Marchand hits hard. The “medley” specialist won again in the 400m medley, with a time of 4’02”50. New world record for the Frenchman, who dislodges Michael Phelps from his throne. The American thus lost his last individual record.
Bis repeated during the same discipline, but on the lower distance. Student Bob Bowman, former mentor of Michael Phelps, won the 200m medley in 1:54.82, a European record. Never two without three. Léon Marchand also won the 200m butterfly, with a new French record of 1:52.43, where he finished second in Budapest.
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In addition to his three individual races, Léon Marchand, who skipped the 200m breaststroke, also took part in two relays. With the French team, he finished off the podium twice, with the 4x200m and 4x400m medley relays.
Among the women, Kaylee McKeown received the same distinction. At only 22 years old, the Australian, already crowned three times at the Tokyo Olympics and multi-medalist at the Worlds, has also won three medals. The back-runner won the 50m and 100m, before taking silver in the 4x200m.