Shaine Casas was the big winner on Saturday (11 October), out-touching French swimming superstar Leon Marchand to claim victory in the men’s 200m individual medley at the first stop of the 2025 Swimming World Cup (25m) in Carmel, Indiana.
Completing the distance in a time of 1:49.43, he claimed the top spot on the podium, followed by Marchand (1:49.73) in second. Australia’s David Schlicht sprinted home for third in a time of 1:53.09.
In what was only ever a two-man race to begin with, Casas and Marchand pulled away from the rest of the field once they hit the water. The pair swam side-by-side for much of the race, with Casas maintaining a small lead over the Marchand.
As the two turned for home, Marchand unleashed a ferocious underwater phase in an attempt to pull even with Casas. Alas, it wasn’t to be his day, as the American swimmer held him off by the slimmest of margins.
A reversal of proceedings from the World Aquatics Championships 2025, where Marchand beat Casas to the wall by 0.62 seconds, the race represented the latest chapter in a budding rivalry between the two swimmers.
“I have to give thanks to these guys, especially Leon,” Casas told broadcasters after the race. “He kind of brings out the best in me. I just love the fire and that kind of rivalry.”
“It feels good to just keep moving the needle forward every meet.”
More to follow…