Like last year, during the NCAA finals, Léon Marchand won the 200-yard medley. With, in addition, a new record in 1’36”34.
Léon Marchand never stops. While the NCAA finals are currently taking place, the American university championship, near Minneapolis, the swimmer, a computer science student at the University of Arizona States, has again been talked about. Indeed, this Thursday evening, the Frenchman retained his university title in the 200-yard medley event. With the key, a new record on this famous distance, and a canon time of 1’36 “34, against 1’37 “69 in 2022.
A year ago, it was on this same 200 yards medley that the main interested party revealed himself to the eyes of the whole world. At that time, Marchand had just begun his collaboration with a certain Bob Bowman. This Thursday evening, during the playoffs, the Habs settled for second time, in 1’38”33, just one hundredth behind Destin Lasco (1’38”32). This same Californian who, in the final, had to settle for second time, in 1’38”10.
“Really excited before the final”
At the end of this race, Léon Marchand spoke, in remarks reported by the French sports daily The team : “I was really excited before the final, because I had swum 1’38”3 without forcing too much. I could feel the energy, and it was pretty cool. I think I managed to use it in my race. I have improved a lot in power. The main point is my back, which was my weakest stroke. I was a little tired in the breaststroke, and the front crawl turned out to be quite difficult. I wanted to give the best. And I think I succeeded. Before, I was afraid of not being able to finish (the race), but you build confidence by training hard. »
Last spring, the Frenchman had more than confirmed his enormous potential, becoming world champion over two distances, namely the 200 meter medley, but also the 400 meter medley. Not to mention a silver medal in the 200 meter butterfly distance.