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Axel REYMOND
Sport Open Water Swimming
NOC France   
GenderMen
Born13 Feb 1994 in Paris, FRA
Height1.91 m
 Human Interest 
Sport Specific Information
Club / Team
AAS Sarcelles Natation 95: France
General Interest
Injuries
In 2019 he sustained an inflammation in his biceps muscle that prevented him from competing at the French national championships. (ffnatation.fr, 07 Jun 2019)

He cut his head when he collided with a buoy during the 10km event at the 2014 European Championships in Berlin, Germany. Despite the injury he finished the race in ninth, then won the 25km event a few days later. (lemonde.fr, 17 Aug 2014)
Sport Specific Information
Why this sport?
"I love swimming in the wild. We see trees. This is better than counting tiles at the bottom of the pool."
Name of coach
Magali Merino [personal], FRA, from 2004
When and where did you begin this sport?
He began swimming at age six in Savigny-le-Temple, France, and took up open water swimming in 2008.
Further Personal Information
Occupation
Armed Forces Athlete
Languages
English, French, German, Spanish
General Interest
Other information
COACH
He has a special appreciation for his long-time coach Magali Merino. "I followed her because when I was 14 she told me that if I trained seriously I could become a world champion. She takes care of me as if I were her son and that's exactly what I need during trainings. There are some who need to be pressed, while I only need her to push me and all her love that she gives to her swimmers. I need her coach mentality. My father died in 2012 and it was Magali who helped my parents to take me to the swimming pool and who picked me up because they were at work. We have always understood well each other. We are a sort of small family." (ffnatation.fr, 21 Oct 2021)
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning gold in the 25km event at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships. (ffnatation.fr, 21 Jul 2017; Facebook page, 19 Jul 2019)
Other sports
He represented France in swimming at the 2017 World Cup event in Canet-en-Rousillon, France. (SportsDeskOnline, 14 Aug 2017)
Ambitions
To become the first swimmer to win both the Marathon Swim World Series and UltraMarathon Swim Series in the same season, and to compete at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. (club-sarcelles-natation-95.com, 29 Jan 2020; ffnatation.fr, 16 Dec 2021)
Further Personal Information
Residence
Fontainebleau, FRA
General Interest
Milestones
He became the first French open water swimmer to win a world title in the 25km event, following his victory at the 2017 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. (sportmag.fr, 17 May 2021; SportsDeskOnline, 01 Sep 2021)
Sport Specific Information
Training Regime
He trains at the National Sports Centre of the French Defence Ministry in Fontainebleau, France.

 Competition Highlights
European Championships
Rank Year Venue Event Result
Heats 2014 Berlin, GER 800m Freestyle 8:12.81
World Championships
Rank Year Venue Event Result
2 2022 Budapest, HUN 25km 5:02:22.7
1 2019 Gwangju, KOR 25km 4:51:06.2
1 2017 Budapest, HUN 25km 5:02:46.4
4 2015 Kazan, RUS 25km 4:55:55.8
12 2015 Kazan, RUS 10km 1:50:28.4
22 2015 Kazan, RUS 5km 55:31.8
40 2013 Barcelona, ESP 10km 1:50:33.0
20 2013 Barcelona, ESP 25km 4:53:47.2
European Championships
Rank Year Venue Event Result
4 2022 Rome, ITA 25km  
3 2022 Rome, ITA 5km - Team Relay 1:00:08.3
1 2021 Budakalász, HUN 25km 4:35:59.8
7 2021 Budakalász, HUN 10km 1:51:49.6
2 2018 Glasgow, SCO 5km 52:41.7
4 2018 Glasgow, SCO 25km 4:58:03.4
1 2016 Hoorn, NED 25km 5:02:22.0
9 2014 Berlin, GER 10km 1:50:07.6
1 2014 Berlin, GER 25km 4:59:18.8
15 2012 Piombino, ITA 10km 1:59:57.8
3 2012 Piombino, ITA 25km 5:04:06.3
World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup
Rank Year Venue Event Result
36 2023   10km  
18 2023 Funchal, POR 10km 1:45:26.9
15 2023 Setúbal, POR 10km 1:56:06.9
15 2022   10km  
6 2022 Paris, FRA 10km 1:51:46.87
4 2021   10km  
14 2021 Abu Dhabi, UAE 10km 1:48:42.0
5 2021 Doha, QAT 10km 1:52:14.5
6 2021 Ohrid, MKD 10km 1:55:16.4
  2020   10km  
18 2020 Doha, QAT 10km 1:50:07.9
20 2019   10km  
2 2019 Ohrid, MKD 10km 2:00:21.9
8 2018   10km  
9 2018 Abu Dhabi, UAE 10km 1:53:27.8
3 2018 Balatonfüred, HUN 10km 1:55:59.10
4 2018 Doha, QAT 10km 1:52:43.0
43 2017   10km  
22 2017 Abu Dhabi, UAE 10km 1:46:11.1
28 2017 Hong Kong, CHN 10km 1:53:32.8
5 2016 Abu Dhabi, UAE 10km 1:47:48.20
5 2016 Viedma, ARG 10km 1:55:50
1 2015 Abu Dhabi, UAE 10km 1:57:52.1
3 2015 Nouméa, NCL 10km 1:57:24.40