Get ready for an incredible swimming story that will leave you on the edge of your seat! Leon Marchand, the French swimming sensation, has just shattered the US Open Meet Record in the 400 Freestyle with an astonishing time of 3:44.70!
The 2025 U.S. Open, held in Austin, Texas, witnessed history in the making. With prelims starting at 10 a.m. EST and finals at 7 p.m. EST (5 p.m. EST on Day 1), the competition was fierce. Marchand, representing TXLA, dominated the Men's 400 Freestyle Finals, leaving his competitors in his wake.
But here's where it gets controversial... Marchand's achievement is even more remarkable when you consider the world record is held by Lukas Martens of Germany with a time of 3:39.96. The U.S. Open Record, set earlier this year by Rex Maurer, was also beaten by Marchand's performance.
The previous US Open Meet Record, set by Zane Grothe in 2016, stood at 3:45.63. But Marchand wasn't just content with breaking the record; he smashed it, finishing nearly a second ahead of Grothe's time.
Here's a breakdown of the split times, showing Marchand's dominance:
| Distance (m) | Leon Marchand | New US Open Meet Record | Zane Grothe | Old US Open Meet Record | Leon Marchand | Old PB |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 50 | 25.31 | 25.31 | 25.31 | 26.52 | 26.52 | 25.31 |
| 100 | 28.19 | 53.50 | 28.38 | 54.90 | 27.92 | 53.23 |
| 150 | 28.57 | 1:22.07 | 29.00 | 1:23.90 | 28.36 | 1:21.59 |
| 200 | 29.17 | 1:51.24 | 28.83 | 1:52.73 | 28.94 | 1:50.53 |
| 250 | 28.78 | 2:20.02 | 28.70 | 2:21.43 | 28.98 | 2:19.51 |
| 300 | 28.62 | 2:48.64 | 28.41 | 2:49.84 | 29.37 | 2:48.88 |
| 350 | 28.19 | 3:16.83 | 28.35 | 3:18.19 | 29.70 | 3:18.58 |
| 400 | 27.87 | 3:44.70 | 27.44 | 3:45.63 | 30.04 | 3:48.62 |
Marchand's strategy was clear: he started strong and maintained an incredible pace throughout the race. His first 100 meters were a full 1.4 seconds faster than the record pace, setting the tone for an incredible performance.
And this is the part most people miss... Despite starting slower than his previous best time, Marchand's strength and endurance shone through in the second half of the race. He managed to drop almost four seconds from his personal best, showcasing an incredible display of swimming prowess.
While Marchand hasn't raced the LCM 400 free at major international meets, he holds the NCAA record in the SCY 500 free with a time of 4:02.31. This achievement solidifies his status as a rising star in the swimming world.
So, what do you think? Is Marchand's performance a sign of things to come, or was it a one-off feat? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's discuss the future of swimming!
