AFP honoured at the opening weekend of the Deauville Sport Images Festival 2026

During the opening ceremony, seven awards were presented, including the prize for the best parasport photograph of the year, awarded to Martin Keep for AFP. The winning image shows Dutch player Niels Vink following his victory over compatriot Sam Schröder in the wheelchair tennis final at the Australian Open on 31 January 2026.

Martin is a freelance news and sports photographer based in Melbourne, who has been covering major events with AFP since 2022.

Martin Keep said, “given the busy nature of the Australian Open schedule, we often don’t get to cover the wheelchair events until the finals, and it’s always impossible not to be blown away by the players’ athleticism and determination. I was aware that Vink had lost in two previous finals and was equally aware of the friendly rivalry that has been building with his fellow countryman, Sam Schröder.

The two were inseparable in the second set and, when it eventually went to a tie-break, it was clear we were in for an emotional finish. After an hour and a half of trading blows, Vink secured the win, avenging his two previous final defeats, and was overcome with emotion. He launched himself from his chair, and we were presented with this incredible image of an athlete lying on the floor, absolutely spent — physically and emotionally.

Moments later, Vink provided another powerful moment, producing a black-and-white photograph from his bag of himself and his late coach, Hans Jurgen Striek, who had passed away only four months earlier.”

The Nuit du Sport also highlighted the work of two AFP photographers, with screenings of Anne-Christine Poujoulat’s report on the Raid des Alizés and a series of images by Lou Benoist from the 5th edition of the Normandy Beach Race, an unusual gathering of pre-1947 American and European cars and motorbikes.

The festival runs until 6 September and features 14 open-air exhibitions across the city. Several AFP photographs are on display in the group exhibitions “Best of 2025–2026” and “20 photos of women’s sport that made history”. Jeff Pachoud’s exclusive exhibition on the Tour de France Femmes can be seen at Place Gabrielle Chanel. This black-and-white exhibition offers an immersive look at women’s cycling through portraits and race scenes captured on the Grande Boucle.