Mike Alexandrov: Still Swimming

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Photo Courtesy: Maddie Kyler

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Mike Alexandrov qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials and U.S. Open meets – today. The former NCAA champion in the 100-yard breast and 400 medley relay attained his cuts on this third day in Omaha — in a time trial. Entered in the 100-meter breast in a 1:03.90, the 31-year-old native Bulgarian and Northwestern grad posted a 1:03.60 to ease under the standards by .09 and .29 respectively.

Physically impressive and ebullient in persona, these days Alexandrov coaches children of all ages, from learn-to-swim seven-year-olds to septuagenarians, for Trojan Swim Club in California. And he still swims and competes – A LOT. Why? “Because I love it,” he says. Even after his U.S. National team days “I didn’t want to give it up. I felt like I still had something left in the tank.”

It is clear that Alexandrov, a Bulgarian 2004 and 2008 Olympian, 2007 European Championship two-time bronze medalist in breaststroke (and American citizen in 2009) is not ready to give up competitive swimming. And why should he?

He is also a personal trainer with terrific national and international athletic cred. His U.S. resume shows multiple medals and top eight finishes from Pan Pacs, SC Worlds and the World University Games. He has two short course national championships in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes from 2008 and 2009 as well as a first in the 100m breast from 2010 U.S. Nationals. In addition, Alexandrov was an accomplished IMer as well.

Summer Nationals are on his calendar for August 2016 and to that end he still logs up to 5500 meters a day perfecting his stroke. For all his prowess in breaststroke (one-time NCAA and USA National recordholder at 100 yards in 51.56) he is stoked while learning something new every day. Most recently he is absorbing anything and everything about backstroke. “There is so much I don’t know,” he says.

Like 30-year-old former NAG recordholder and Olympian Amanda Weir, Alexandrov is also learning to swim smarter. For both recovery plays a greater role in their daily training as they happily soldier on routinely competing against much younger athletes.

And what’s wrong with that.

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