Tyr Pro Swim Series: Leon Marchand’s Dominance Shattered by US NCAA All-American Matt Fallon

After making a huge statement in the 2021 Olympic Trials with a top speed of 2:10:13 in the prelims and 2:08:91 in the semi-finals as his personal bests, Matt Fallon once again came into the limelight for outscoring the legendary Leon Marchand in an action-wrapped TYR Pro Swim Series that was held lately in San Antonio.

Notably, Leon Marchand has been the reigning World Champion in the 200 butterfly, 200 individual medley, and 400 individual medley,  he was outwitted by Matt Fallon in one of these categories.

Leon Marchand’s competitor outwits him

Because of the already known electrifying speed of the legendary Leon Marchand and his 200 butterfly and 400 individual medley victories in the same TYR Pro Swim Series, it was a huge change in the winning pattern, when Matt Fallon took over the French star during the first half of the 200 breaststroke.

Captioned as, “What a swim for Matt Fallon”, by USA Swimming on X, it exhibited the surprising lead that the 2023 National Champion took over Leon Marchand by timing 2:08.18. It was noted during the swim the first 100 meter marks were being led by Marchand, however, in the next 50 meters, Matt Fallon took over his deficit, where he split a 32.73. Also, the last lap was out split by Matt Fallon by a 33.03 to 33.64. A 2022 NCAA All American in the 200 breaststroke, Matt Fallon has been in the US National team since the year 2021 and continues to etch his name, ahead of the upcoming Olympic Games, in competition with the iconic Leon Marchand.

Aiming for the Paris Olympics 2024

While both American swimmers are brisking towards their ultimate goal of standing on the top of the Olympic podium, Matt Fallon quoted to USA Swimming about his Olympic preparations. He said, “I’m just looking to do more of the same training that I’ve been doing in other long course seasons, just swimming a lot of long course. It’s definitely very hard transitioning to a long-course mindset, but I feel like I’ve been able to do it a lot better these past few years, so I’m trying to keep that trend going.”

On the other hand, Leon Marchand, who is often compared to the GOAT Michael Phelps, said in an interview with the French media about his Paris Olympic preparations, “I understood it when I beat Michael (Phelps’) record. Immediately in my head I said to myself: ‘Well, the Paris Games, it’s going to be different from what I had imagined! So I prepare for it every day with my mental coach. We prepare for everything that will be around me during the two weeks which are going to be quite intense.” The world title holder also believes that the Summer Games as a huge opportunity than just an open challenge.