2023 WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
- July 14-30, 2023
- Fukuoka, Japan
- Pool Swimming: July 23-30
- LCM (50 meters)
- Meet Info
- Meet Central
One of the marquee male athletes for this month’s World Championships has arrived in Fukuoka, Japan.
21-year-old Leon Marchand of France made an appearance at the Tokyo airport this weekend, immediately after a 14-hour flight from his home nation.
“I’m pretty tired but I’m finally here,” the Arizona State University NCAA champion told Asian media.
The versatile national record holder was inundated with anime paraphernalia upon his arrival but the Sun Devil didn’t mind. Anime is a hand-drawn and computer-generated animation produced by the nation of Japan.
“I’m an amazing anime guy (anime lover),” Marchand said.
Marchand was adorned with Dragon Ball gifts and novelties such as a tote bag and figurines, at which he expressed his gratitude.
“When I received it, I couldn’t hide my surprise.”
“It’s Goku. It’s amazing. Dragon Ball is the first Japanese manga I came across.”
You can see Marchand arriving at the airport and graciously waving to his Japanese fans in the tweet below.
Léon Marchand
Welcome to JAPAN!!🇯🇵世界水泳へいよいよレオン・マルシャンが来日！Anime Guyと自称するほどアニメ好きなマルシャル、かめはめ波ポーズの神対応 pic.twitter.com/pM7oMl2W8V
— 競泳NEWS (@swimcoverage) July 9, 2023
Gets to arrive two weeks prior to meet start date? Wow, what a life!
Interesting and fair play as one of his serious and direct contenders is Daiya Seto.
Dudes 400 IM is about to be over 9 thousand.
Impossible not to root for him. Hopefully he swims really well, huge talent and class act
he’s so me coded
Leon so likeable
I note that Marchand handles the press like a pro! Which is great as he only turned 21 two months ago. There is also a video interview of his arrival at: https://twitter.com/swimcoverage
In Fukuoka’s grasp,
Marchand’s tired feet find home,
Anime’s embrace.
The AI merchant is back
Go away you ChatGPT troll
Most won’t realize you were trying to make a Haiku,
But 1. In 2. Fu 3. Ku. 4. O 5. Ka’s 6. Grasp is 6 syllabals haha.