At only 20 years old, Ahmed Jaouadi became an icon of Tunisian swimming. Double world champion, Holder of African records and Olympic finalist, he embodies a new generation of harsh, ambitious and resolutely turned sportsmen. But behind the medals, what are the real ingredients for his success? Response elements.
The path to glory was not improvised. Trained in the basins of the Marsa sporting future, Ahmed Jaouadi quickly pointed out by his performances in local, then national competitions. In 2021, he illustrated the Arab championships in Abu Dabi and confirmed the following year with five medals at the African championships in Tunis, including two in gold. This first continental coronation is however only a prelude to what was going to follow.
As early as 2022, the young swimmer took a new stage by settling in Grenoble, in France, where he continued his studies while training in more competitive structures. But it was in Martigues, in the south of France, that he finds a decisive turning point by integrating the prestigious group led by Philippe Lucas, one of the most dreaded – and respected – worldwide coaches.
Under the leadership of Lucas, Jaouadi changes his dimension. It goes from a training volume of 40 kilometers per week to more than 85 kilometers weekly. A doubling of work, synonymous with extreme rigor, daily sacrifice and permanent overtaking.
In the logic of the greatest champions
This is what he entrusted in an interview to the TAP agency, stressing that this change in intensity had been one of the main triggers of its recent performance. Two daily sessions, six days a week, between endurance, technical work, lactic and framed recovery: Jaouadi now swims in the same logic as the greatest champions.
The results were not long in coming. In December 2024, he became world champion in a small pool in Budapest for 1500 meters freestyle, before winning bronze over 800 meters with a new African record. A few months later, at the Singapore world championships, he wrote a history page by winning two gold medals over 800 and 1500 meters. On the 800, he has an exceptional time of 7: 36.88, the third best performance of all time.
However, despite the laurels, Ahmed Jaouadi keeps his head cool. He refuses glitter, remains discreet on social networks, and repeats that his objective remains clear: to shine at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. His journey impresses all the more since it is carried by a constant desire to progress, a controlled spirit of competition, and a rare humility in high -level sport.
Today, it represents much more than a hope for Tunisian swimming: it is its face. In a country often looking for positive models, Jaouadi embodies a success built on effort, work intelligence, resilience and vision. An example for an entire generation.
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