Marchand smashes long-standing 200m medley World Record

Singapore, July 31: France's Leon Marchand smashed the 200m individual medley world record in Singapore on Wednesday, setting a new mark of 1min 52.69sec.

Swimming in the semi-finals at the world championships, the 23-year-old took more than a second off the previous record of 1:54.00 set by Ryan Lochte in 2011. Marchand beat Michael Phelps's long-standing 400m medley record at the world championships in Japan two years ago. 

"Actually I can't believe it right now," said Marchand, who won four individual golds in front of his home fans at the Paris Olympics a year ago.

"I knew I was going to be close to my PB (personal best) because I felt really good today and preparation has been pretty good. But 1:52 is unbelievable for me." Marchand took an extended break from swimming after his Paris Olympics heroics and only returned to competition in May.

Olympic champion Mollie O'Callaghan romped to an emphatic victory in the 200m freestyle for her 10th world championship title.

The 21-year-old Australian went to the final turn in a marginal lead and then revved it up to pull away and seal victory in 1min 53.48sec in Singapore.

Second was China's Li Bingjie (1:54.52) and third Claire Weinstein of the United States (1:54.67).

Tunisia's Ahmed Jaouadi won his first major title with victory in the 800m freestyle with a perfectly timed attack. Jaouadi made his move midway through the race in Singapore and eased away to touch the wall in 7min 36.88sec, ahead of German pair Sven Schwarz (7:39.96) and 400m champion Lukas Maertens (7:40.19). (AFP)