Leon Marchand set a new world record in the men’s 200-metre individual medley at the swimming world championships in Singapore, achieving a remarkable time of 1 minute, 52.69 seconds. This performance broke the long-standing record of 1:54.00, previously held by American swimmer Ryan Lochte since 2011. Marchand recorded this feat during the semi-finals and has the potential to improve upon it in the upcoming final.
Last year, the French swimmer garnered four Olympic gold medals in Paris, but in Singapore, he is focusing solely on the 200m and 400m individual medleys, along with relay events, as part of what he describes as a “transition year.” This lighter competition schedule allows him to maintain his energy while aiming for further world records.
Marchand expressed disbelief at his achievement, noting how significantly he surpassed the previous record by a full second, which he found astonishing. He stated, “1:52 on the 200 metres — that’s insane.” His performance not only broke the record but also showcased his technical prowess as he was approximately 1.8 seconds ahead of the record pace after 150 metres, finishing strong with a powerful freestyle leg.
Looking ahead, Marchand will compete in the 400m individual medley on the final day of the championships. He currently holds the world record for that event, set at 4:02.50 during the 2023 championships in Fukuoka, and he is expected to approach it with confidence.
Reflecting on his race, Marchand described the sensation of feeling light in the water and executing his strokes cleanly. He acknowledged that opting for a reduced schedule was likely the right choice for his performance. Though this semi-final swim did not secure him a world title, it earned him a $30,000 (approximately A$46,000) prize.
Despite not initially recognising the speed at which he was swimming, Marchand gave his all in the race, stating, “I went out hard from the start… I didn’t realise I was going that fast but I gave it absolutely everything.” His focus was on maintaining a relaxed demeanour without overthinking his technique, allowing him to push to the limit right up to the finish line.