Four-time Olympic gold medallist Leon Marchand has smashed the men’s 200m medley world record at the World Aquatics Championship.The swimming sensation achieved the feat in the semi-finals in Singapore on Wednesday by finishing over a second faster than the previous record of 1:54.00 set by Ryan Lochte 14 years ago.AFPLeon Marchand was back with a bang after breaking yet another world record[/caption]The Frenchman, who won $30,000 for breaking the record, is no stranger to super-human accomplishments having beaten Michael Phelps’ 400m medley record at the worlds two years ago.“Actually I can’t believe it right now,” said Marchand who scooped four individual golds at last summer’s Paris Olympics.“I knew I was going to be close to my PB (personal best) because I felt really good today and preparation has been pretty good.“But 1:52 is unbelievable for me.”Marchand only returned to swimming in May as he took an extended break from the sport following his Olympic heroics.The 23-year-old is putting his efforts into the medley events in Singapore and warned that he was eyeing up Lochte’s record.Marchand kicked off his world championship exploits by registering a time of 1:57.63 in the heats on Wednesday morning.He then kept to his word by revealing he would go for the record in the semi-final rather than save his energy for Thursday’s final.The Toulouse native became the face of the Paris Olympics thanks to his four gold medals and four Olympic record wins in his home country.His exploits landed him the nickname of ‘The French Phelps’ but one opponent believes the comparisons don’t go far enough.Frenchman Marchand was the toast of France at last summer’s OlympicsGetty“I hope everyone realizes that we’re swimming in a time where we may be witnessing the best swimmer ever,” said USA’s Carson Foster, who raced Marchand in the men’s 400m and 200m individual medley finals.“He definitely deserves the conversation. Obviously, Phelps, no one’s probably ever going to do what he did with all the gold medals he won, but it’s got to be at least a conversation.”Britain’s Duncan Scott came third in the race, clocking a time of 1:55.51 and booking his place in the final.Fellow Brit Freya Colbert finished fourth in the women’s 200m freestyle, breaking the British record with a time of 1:55.06. The race was won by Australian Mollie O’Callaghan in 1:53.48.O’Callaghan, who has suffered from injury since winning gold in Paris, admits she has benefited from time away from the pool.“I know it’s been hard for a lot of people to come back after the Olympics but I’m very grateful to have a good support team behind me to get me through this mentally and physically,” said the 21-year-old.GettyMollie O’Callaghan (left) put aside her injury woes to win her race in Singapore[/caption]Another Briton Matt Richards, qualified for the men’s 100m freestyle final while Lauren Cox won her 50m backstroke semi-finalIreland’s Ellen Walshe and Brit Emily Richards booked their spots in the women’s 200m butterfly final.