Listen up, fandom and folks! Leon Marchand has done it yet again. He might have been fighting fatigue, but there is no stopping the golden boy from creating world records. After the rather questionable times and ties in Incheon, the world had its doubts about Marchand, with many wondering if the problem was in the missing Bob Bowman element. Well, Marchand has officially passed the ultimate litmus test and gone on to create yet another world record.

Leon Marchand stepped back into the pool in Singapore for the 200m IM. He then went on to clock 1:48.88, and that, folks, is the official new world record! Marchand broke Ryan Lochte’s 12-year-old short course world record of 1:49.63 in the 200m IM. Now, that makes it Marchand’s second-ever world record in meters and his first ever on the short course! Of course, we can’t forget the first moment.

Remember the 2023 World Championships? That was the first moment when all eyes turned to Marchand. He went on to break Bowman’s first prodigy’s record. Marchand went on to break Michael Phelps’s 400m Individual medley record set in 200. While Phelps’ record stood at 4:03.84, Marchand went on to clock 4:02.50! While Marchand’s history is solid, he faltered during the second leg of the World Championships this year. Let’s rewind a little to the lead-up through Incheon and Shanghai.

In the races in previous legs, Marchand looked tired and fatigued. Yes, of course, he had a long season. After all, winning four Olympic Golds is no easy task. However, the world did wonder if the lack of records this year was because Marchand did not have his legendary coach by his side. In Shanghai, Marchand kept his momentum. He clocks at 1:50.30 in the 200m IM and records a new World Cup, French and European record. Then came Incheon, where he clocked 1:50.91. A time slowed than his Shanghai performance. But this time was different. The moment the 200IM began in Singapore, the world knew it was in for a treat.

It started off with a butterfly split with a 23.76 first lap. A time that almost matches Lochte’s pace from 2012! But soon after, things took a turn for the better! Yes, it’s better than that pace. By the time Marchand went for the backstroke, he was already in the lead. At the 100m mark, he clocked 50.42, which was .34 seconds ahead of Lochte’s world-record pace. His lead only grew in the breaststroke and freestyle segments. Marchand touched the wall at 1:48.88, thus breaking the standing record. While the record and win are exciting, it does come with an honor and a perk to give the company!

Leon Marchand wears the coveted crown in 200IM!

2024 has been perhaps the greatest year for Leon Marchand. It began with four Olympic golds in just one season, and now he’s moving into world records! After winning the 200m IM at all three stops of the World Championship, Marchand has earned the Triple Crown, which comes with an additional $10,000 prize. If that wasn’t enough, he will also receive another $10,000 for setting the new world record! What makes this crown even more monumental is that it’s not his first one this season.

Leon Marchand also won the 100m IM Triple Crown just 24 hours ago! He went on to become the second swimmer to finish under 50 seconds, clocking 49.92. That was also the third fastest time in history. To put it simply, Marchand truly ate and left no crumbs. Despite the fatigue, taking a break after the Olympics and then coming back to a different coach and still managing to create history is no ordinary ask. Now, that is why Leon Marchand is a champion and, of course, the ever-so-charming golden boy. Additionally, Marchand wins have changed the charts!

Marchand is now ranked #1 when it comes to all-time performers in 200IM. Up until last week, Ryan Lochte topped the list, but now that stands changed.  Ryan is followed by Matt Sates, Shain Casas and Kosuke Hagino.  None of the names got anything of Leon Marchand anymore; he reigns supreme. And there is no debate about it!