Flash! Yannick Agnel Downs World Record in 400 Free at French Nationals

ANGERS, France, November 15. YANNICK Agnel has downed the short course world record in the men's 400 freestyle at the French Short Course Nationals.

Agnel blasted off a time of 3:32.25 in the middle distance event, bettering the global standard of Paul Biedermann of 3:32.77 set in Berlin, Germany in 2009, a time thrown down during the techsuit era. Full splits are not yet available. Agnel's time smashed his previous best of 3:39.91 from 2010, which had stood as the French record. Anthony Pannier had the best seat in the house with a 3:43.85, while Sebastien Rouault took third in 3:45.37.

Agnel made a huge name for himself this summer as the Olympic hero for France in the 400 freestyle relay. He also won gold in the 200 free, before taking silver in the 800 free relay.

Biedermann has since congratulated Agnel on breaking his record via Twitter.

Hey @yannickagnel! Fantastic swim.I'm deeply impressed! Paul

— Paul Biedermann (@PBiedermann) November 15, 2012

Later in the evening, Jeremy Stravius took down the French record in the men's 200 IM with a 1:54.50. That performance jumped him to 27th overall in the event's history, and bettered the previous national mark he set of 1:55.46 last year at this meet. Ganesh Pedurand took second in 1:57.73, while Taki M'Rabet of Tunisia earned third in 1:58.58.

After nearly setting the 400 freestyle world record during the FINA World Cup series, Camille Muffat showed some top end speed with a 52.73 to set the meet record in the women's 100 free. The performance is just short of her 18th-ranked lifetime best of 52.41. Charlotte Bonnet took second in 53.65, while Pernille Blume of Denmark placed third in 54.23.

In other action, Olympic champion Florent Manaudou turned in a meet record in the men's 50 free with a 20.86, jumping to 14th all time in the event. Yoris Grandjean of Belgium took second in 21.94, while Gregory Mallet earned third in 22.24. Sophie de Ronchi topped the women's 50 breast in 31.69, with Fanny Babou placing second in 31.79. Sarah Vaisse took third in 31.90.

Ben Stasiulis earned the men's 200 back title in 1:52.07, while Joris Hustache took second in 1:54.42. Alexis Cabrol touched third in 1:56.04. Stasiulis definitely has more in the tank in the event with a 14th-ranked 1:49.89 to his credit. Laure Manaudou continued on past the 2012 London Olympics, picking up the women's 100 back title in 58.07. Alexianne Castel (58.52) and Cloe Credeville (58.80) clinched second and third. Manaudou is less than a second off her lifetime best of 57.16, which ranks her 20th overall.

Mehdy Metella claimed the men's 100 fly crown in 51.30 with Rafael Munoz Perez of Spain taking second in 51.87. Jordan Coelho placed third in 52.15. Fanny Lecluyse of Belgium posted a 2:12.85 to win the women's 200 IM, while De Ronchi podiumed for the second time with a 2:13.18. Fantine Lesaffre earned third in 2:14.23.

Giacomo Perez Dortona raced to victory in the men's 100 breast with a 58.31, while William Debourges touched second in 59.89. Malik Fell of Senegal wound up third in 1:00.02. Lea Giraudon edged Elodie Delamare, 2:11.20 to 2:11.43, for the women's 200 fly title, while Magali Rousseau earned third in 2:13.28.

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