France : In a commanding display of resilience and elite athleticism, French swimming sensation Leon Marchand clinched gold in the men’s 200-meter individual medley at the 2025 World Swimming Championships—just one day after shattering the world record in the same event.
Fresh off a historic semifinal swim where he clocked a staggering 1:52.69, the fastest in history, Marchand returned to the pool despite having barely slept the night before. The excitement and adrenaline from his record-breaking performance had kept him awake, yet the lack of rest did little to dull his competitive edge.
“I felt so excited yesterday that I couldn’t sleep, so I was enjoying the moment,” Marchand revealed. “I think I lost a lot of energy last night, but it was my goal to break the record, so I was really happy with it. Today was a different mood—I was going for the title, and I was racing my teammates during the final, so that was pretty fun.”
In the final, Marchand delivered again with a time of 1:53.68—the second-fastest in history, just behind his own new world record. His performance left American swimmer Shaine Casas trailing in second place, while Hungary’s Hubert Kos claimed the bronze.
At just 23 years old, Marchand has become one of the most electrifying figures in world swimming. His growing legacy invites comparisons to Michael Phelps, with many experts hailing him as a generational talent who could redefine the sport over the next decade.
Whether chasing titles or records, Leon Marchand continues to set the pace—and he’s doing it even on sleepless nights.
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