Leon Marchand of France celebrates after receiving an award for creating a new world record following the men's 200-meter individual medley semifinals at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
World Aquatics Championships: Leon Marchand Smashes 200-Metre Individual Medley Record
French swimming sensation Leon Marchand shattered the world record in the 200-metre individual medley on Wednesday (July 30, 2025) at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, clocking 1 minute, 52.69 seconds to surpass the 1:54.00 set 14 years go by American Ryan Lochte. Marchand set the mark swimming in the semi-finals and, in theory, could break it again in the final. The 23-year-old won four Olympic gold medals a year ago in Paris, but he’s swimming only the 200 and 400 medley – and relays – in Singapore. Planning the lighter schedule in what he calls a “transition year” keeps him fresh to chase the world marks.
World Aquatics Championships Men's 200-meter semifinals: Leon Marchand
| Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan
Leon Marchand of France celebrates after competing in the men's 200-meter individual medley semifinals at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
World Aquatics Championships Men's 200-meter semifinals: Leon Marchand
| Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man
Leon Marchand of France competes in the men's 200-meter individual medley semifinal at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
World Aquatics Championships Men's 200-meter semifinals: Shaine Casas
| Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
Shaine Casas of the United States competes in the men's 200-meter individual medley semifinals at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
World Aquatics Championships Men's 200-meter semifinals: Hubert Kos
| Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan
Hubert Kos of Hungary competes in the men's 200-meter individual medley semifinal at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
World Aquatics Championships Men's 200-meter semifinals: Kosuke Makino
| Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man
Kosuke Makino of Japan competes in the men's 200-meter individual medley semifinal at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
World Aquatics Championships Men's 200-meter semifinals: Leon Marchand
| Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man
Leon Marchand of France competes in the men's 200-meter individual medley semifinal at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
World Aquatics Championships Men's 200-meter semifinals:
| Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man
Leon Marchand of France prepares to compete in the men's 200-meter individual medley semifinals at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
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