"Qualify for the World Championships": Nice's Matteo Robba reveals his ambitions ahead of the French Championships

Tattoos, curly, mid-length hair, and an impeccable tan: Matteo Robba is easy to spot from afar. But there's no question of confining this guy to physical constraints. With the Nice native, looks aren't the only thing that stands out. Having returned from the French Short Course Championships in the fall with three medals, the 21-year-old swimmer first gained attention for his results.

Back in Montpellier, the scene of his first Elite podiums, the native of Cagnes-sur-Mer will make his debut in the 200m freestyle on Sunday. In Hérault, the Angelotti pool gave him good vibes. That the magic works again, that's all he hopes. "The goal is to qualify for the World Championships in Singapore (July 27-August 3) . In any case, to get as close as possible to it ," he says. "I can envisage it more than at the beginning of the year. It came quite late because I didn't think I was that ready. Where I'm closest to having it is in the 50m freestyle, more than in the 100 and 200m."

Records and Maxime Grousset

Such ambitions for a competitor are logical, but the Côte d'Azur player knows that the minimums are, by definition, challenging and difficult to achieve (22''05, 48''34 and 1'46''70). While other teammates in Fabrice Pellerin's training group also have their sights set on the World Championships, he's thinking of Lilou Ressencourt (100m butterfly), Néo Dutriaux (4X200m freestyle relay) and Jérémie Delbois (4X100m breaststroke medley), Matteo Robba has refined his hopes. If qualification for Singapore eludes him, the essential may lie elsewhere. " The real goal has always been to beat my records in all three races *," he shares. "I'd also like to get closer to Maxime Grousset (the two-time world medalist in the 100m freestyle). Finishing behind him in the Elite short course helped me understand that no one is untouchable. He needs to know I exist."

He's coming off three intense months. From March to May, Fabrice Pellerin, the coach whose method he adopted and who works well for him, didn't skimp on the mileage. The former Antibes native experienced "the toughest training period of his life, with no lighter weeks." There's no doubt it will be beneficial to him.

He became aware of his means

Despite this work, rather than Asia, his summer could be decided in Slovakia and the U23 Euro. Already qualified, he will go there if he doesn't fly to the World Championships.

Nothing infamous but a logical continuation for a swimmer who has not always felt legitimate among sprinters. The fault lies in a less massive build (1.79m, 62kg) and in the early years in the 400, 800 and 1500m. " As I grew up, I no longer had fun on these distances ," he remembers. Around 16-17 years old, I moved towards sprinting but I wondered for a long time about my place." The advice of the 2012 Olympic champion in the 50m freestyle, Florent Manaudou, with whom he still exchanges and whom he rubbed shoulders with in Antibes, as well as his first results, gave him "confidence."

"I had a realization. I told myself that I could be the exception that proves the rule," Robba rekindled. "I saw that I could finish ahead of stronger players." Montpellier will be another opportunity to prove it.

* 22''33 in the 50m freestyle, 50''12 in the 100m freestyle and 1'52''16 in the 200m freestyle.