He avenged Florent Manaudou with dignity. Eliminated Wednesday in the semi-final of the 50m freestyle, the little brother of Laure Manaudou has found a new successor in the person of Maxime Grousset. By competing in a jump-off, the latter obtained his ticket for the 50m freestyle final of the World Championships in Budapest (Hungary) on Wednesday. Grousset had taken over the Brazilian, Bruno Fratus in the play-offs to reach the final by winning in 21′’59.
This Friday, the swimmer from New Caledonia, an island he left at the age of 16, once again proved that he was a formidable competitor. After his fine silver medal in the 100m freestyle behind the Romanian David Popovici, Maxime Grousset (23) completed his harvest of medals by snatching third place behind Benjamin Proud, the Briton and Michael Andrew, the American. Starting from line number 8, the Frenchman smashed his personal best in 21’57. He brings the 8th French medal to these world championships in Budapest.
“I have no regrets, assures Maxime Grousset at the microphone of France Television. I’m doing my best time. I could not do better. This season, I haven’t been good. Suddenly, I rediscover myself. Yesterday, I was convinced that I could make a podium and even world champion. Now I have to work more in the 50m to achieve this. »
Fourth in the 100m at the last Tokyo Olympics a year ago, the protege of Mickaël Chrétien, his coach, did even better this Friday. A good omen before the Paris Olympics in two years where he will certainly be one of the great hopes for medals.
