Maxime Grousset Claims Golden Double At French S/C Championships
Maxime Grousset claimed a golden double as the French Short Course Championships got underway in Val-Parisis.
Grousset opened his account with a clear victory in the 100 fly in 48.87 with Youssef Ramaddan of Egypt (49.91) and Clement Secchi (49.96) the next men home in the 100 fly.
He returned a little under an hour later to complete an emphatic win in the 100IM in 50.56 ahead of Nikita Baez (52.66) and Tom Remy (53.38).
The 26-year-old, who won the 50/100 fly double at the World Championships in Singapore, said through the French Federation: “That’s exactly what I wanted to do. I didn’t think I’d swim this time in the 100m medley. I’m happy but I know that I still have a lot of things to work on, especially the explosiveness on the turns, especially in the butterfly. I’m not at my best yet, I haven’t prepared for it like a big championship. This is only one step. I’m not yet at my best level but there are good things. It’s also a little message for Noè Ponti. I know he’s very strong underwater but I’m working a lot on those parts and the work is paying off.”
Roman Fuchs & Sauveur Cristofini: Photo Courtesy: French Federation
Mewen Tomac led throughout to win the men’s 200 back despite world bronze medallist Yohann Ndoye Brouard making inroads in the latter stages. The former touched in 1:50.00 to 1:50.26 with Antoine Herlem third in 1:51.36.
Beryl Gastaldello led home three women inside the QT for the European s/c Championships in Lublin, Poland in December. Gastaldello clocked 52.18 ahead of Anastasia Urbaniak (52.78), Eloise Riley (53.02) and Marina Jehl (53.11).
Roman Fuchs won the men’s 400 free in 3:38.97 with 15-year-old Sauveur Cristofini second, his time of 3:39.69 consigning Yannick Agnel’s age-group record to history as both men booked a ticket to Poland.
Fuchs – 12 years Cristofini’s senior – has his eyes on a medal in Lublin but also turned his attention to his young rival, saying: “He’s 15 years old, it’s very young. I remember my entry into the France team a few years ago. It’s nice to see the new generation arrive. I hope I can bring the same thing to these young people that the older players brought me when I joined the France team, like Jérémy Stravius with whom I was training at the time.”
Cristofini added: “I’m very happy. This morning, I set a very good time and I knew that I still had room for manoeuvre, especially in the second part of the race. I accelerated, I followed the plan established with Philippe (Lucas, his coach) and it worked. It means a lot to beat Yannick Agnel’s record because he is a double Olympic champion. I think I’m on the right track and I have to continue like this. I wanted to qualify for the European Championships. It’s going to be a great experience, I’m looking forward to it. I can take inspiration from the great swimmers in the France team. Maybe I don’t realise it yet, but I have to stay focused for the rest of the competition, especially the 800m freestyle.”
Anastasia Kirpichnikova also punched her ticket with a 15:47.44 victory in the 1500 free.
