(Scypre.com) – Michael Phelps’ 23 gold medals stand as an unassailable testament to his swimming prowess, but during the 2023 World Aquatics Championships, his last individual world record was shattered by a remarkable young talent from France, 21-year-old Leon Marchand.
Phelps, donning a headset as a commentator, watched his 400-meter individual medley record of 4.03.84, set during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, fall to Marchand’s extraordinary performance in Fukuoka, Japan.
Phelps’ phenomenal Olympic run in 2008 earned him eight gold medals and seven world records, making it an unforgettable chapter in swimming history.
Marchand’s feat at the World Championships was awe-inspiring as he finished the butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle in sequence, touching the wall at a blistering time of 4.02.50, securing the gold medal for his country.
The young French swimmer expressed his exhilaration after the race, describing it as an incredibly painful yet amazing achievement. Marchand acknowledged that the best is yet to come, hinting at even more remarkable performances in the future.
In a display of sportsmanship, Phelps graciously accepted that his final record had been surpassed. He applauded Marchand’s historic swim from the winner’s podium, acknowledging the passing of the torch with a smile.
Notably, both Phelps and Marchand share a connection beyond their prowess in the 400-meter medley. Bob Bowman, who trained Phelps during his illustrious swimming career, is also Marchand’s coach.
The silver medal in the race went to the United States’ Carson Foster, while Japan’s Daiya Seto claimed the bronze, sparking ecstatic celebrations from the home crowd.
Leon Marchand has long been recognized as one of swimming’s rising stars. Prior to the 2023 World Championships, he had already qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, setting France’s record in the 400-meter individual medley at 4.09.65.
Although he finished sixth in the Olympics, Marchand’s remarkable achievements have already cemented his status as a remarkable talent in the world of swimming.