Leon Marchand’s ultimate endeavor has been to usurp the records and register himself as the ‘next big thing’ among the protagonists of the swimming world. After introducing himself in the TYR Pro Swim Series for the first time in 2024, the Frenchman displayed no reluctance in that tiresome job. But in Texas, his opponents were the world junior swimming champion, Olympic and world senior champion. However, the certain fact could not deter the 5x world champion from amping up his performance. 

As the result should have been, Leon Marchand reached near to the record time. In the process, the world junior champion and Olympic champion had to accept defeat in front of him. It seems as if just before the Paris Olympics, Leon Marchand is eyeing to fulfill his holistic preparation.

 At first, the NCAA short course pools witnessed the French wunderkind decimating records after records this season, donning ASU’s emblem on the swimming costume. Now, it is for the long course pools in Northside Swim Center in San Antonio, Texas. There, in the ongoing TYR Pro Swim Series 2024, Leon Marchand defeated his swimming partners from Tempe in the 200m butterfly event. As the X-handle MR. CARTER updated, in defeating Luca Urlando and Chase Kalisz, he took 1:54.97 minutes. 

On the other hand, the Tokyo Olympic medalist, Chase Kalisz, held third place in the finals, finishing the race in 1:55.97 minutes. However, the former world junior champion Luca Urlando claimed the runner-up position in 1:55.63 minutes. Furthermore, the American swimmer holds the best time in the same event in the TYR Pro Swim Series from back in 2019. Stopping at 01.13 seconds behind that clocking, Leon Marchand boastfully declared his arrival on elite championships this year. However, Leon Marchand gives credit to his preparation for this invigorating achievement. 

Are college swimming battles helping the Olympic preparations?

When the Paris Olympics hopefuls like Chase Kalisz and Luca Urlando were shedding sweat in the practice sessions, Leon Marchand had been thoroughly busy with the NCAA swimming schedules. His preparation started with Regionals and it ended in the final championship contest. Meanwhile, he also earned several records and laurels for his program. Bob Bowman’s presence in the coach’s realm also helped him to overcome the barriers. 

“Coach Bowman has been to the Olympics seven times already, so I think he knows how to handle that,” the 21-year-old swimmer conceded a few months ago. However, since then, a lot has happened. Bob Bowman has left the ASU Sun Devils camp and joined the Texas Longhorns. However, in the meantime, the French prodigy has steadied his aim- the Paris Olympics. TYR Pro Swim Series is paving the way for Leon Marchand. 

Read more: Leon Marchand’s NCAA “Off the Walls” Record Has Got Him US Olympian Caeleb Dressel Comparisons Ahead of Paris Olympics