World Aquatics Swimming World Cup 2024 Incheon: Leon Marchand reveals bid for short course 200m freestyle world title after 400m medley triumph

Leon Marchand finished strong to take victory in the men’s 400m medley race at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships Swim World Cup in Incheon on Saturday (October 26).

The four-time Olympic champion came out conservatively but maintained Seto Daiya in his sights. And it was not until the last three lengths of the 25 m pool when Marchand, dressed with his partner Guillaume Guth swimming cap, moved to the side and then in front of his Japanese rival. He Paris 2024 The hero beat the world record holder by more than a second with his Victory time of 3:58.30 a new French record.

Marchand, whose victory returned him to the top of the 2024 Short Course World Cup standings after winning the overall title at last weekend’s stop in Shanghai, told reporters afterwards, including Olympics.com, that he was still far from reaching his best followers. his summer exploits in the longest 50-meter Olympic pool.

“I took a long time off, a month and a half,” he said afterwards, “I started practicing again three or four weeks ago, so I’m not in shape, but I feel good in the water.”

Of the race itself, he commented: “It was good. I think it was at a good pace compared to last week. I started a little slower as I went. I think my back was really good, I held on a lot.” water. And then I tried to push breaststroke and then compete with Daiya at the end. “It’s a good moment, I’m very happy with it.”

To prepare for December’s 25m World Championships in Budapest, the 22-year-old said he would return to Toulouse to work with his former coach. Nicolas Castel before a bid for gold in the 200m freestyle.

When asked about his plans to swim freestyle in the future, he responded: “I think maybe I’ll do some short course relays. Maybe also the 200 freestyle in Budapest.”

“I’ve been focusing on IM, fly, backstroke and breaststroke, not really freestyle. I just have to repeat some freestyle and improve my technique as well so I can hold more water.”

After winning the 50m butterfly on Saturday, the Swiss Noah Ponti He edged out Marchand for the men’s overall crown at the Incheon meet.

The evening’s swim was led by the Olympic 100 meter freestyle champion from the People’s Republic of China. Pan Zhanle. The 20-year-old demonstrated his versatility by taking the 800m freestyle title in a new World Cup record of 7:35.30.