[ODDS and EVENS] Record-Breaking Feats Generate Excitement at the World Aquatics Championships

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Within four days, a pair of world records set more than a decade ago were rewritten at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka.

Bravo to the record-breaking swimmers.

And another thought is dancing around my brain: It's good for the sport to receive this positive jolt of attention during the world championships. 

Transcendent stars Michael Phelps and Federica Pellegrini had owned world records in the men's 400-meter individual medley and women's 200-meter freestyle since August 10, 2008 (the Beijing Olympics), and July 29, 2009 (the World Aquatics Championships in Rome), respectively.

And then along came Frenchman Leon Marchand, 21, and 19-year-old Australian Mollie O'Callaghan to grab the spotlight.

Boy, did they ever.

Marchand repeated as world champion in the 400 IM with a sensational performance in the final on Sunday, July 23. He completed the race in 4:02.50, shattering Phelps' mark of 4:03.84. In July 2022, in Budapest, Marchand won his first world title in the event (4:04.28).

After Sunday's epic performance, Marchand was not at a loss for words.

"That was insane," Marchand was quoted as saying by The Associated Press after the race.

He called it "one of the most painful things."

And it was incredibly meaningful to him at the same time. 

Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.

RELATED:

• Katie Ledecky Ties Michael Phelps' Mark for Individual Swimming World Titles
• [ODDS and EVENS] Yukiko Inui Defends a Pair of Artistic Swimming Titles at World Championships

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and Twitter ＠ed_odeven.