Biography
Started: He first tried Para athletics in 2016 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, before joining the AV Hollandia club in Hoorn, Netherlands. (Athlete, 20 Aug 2018)
Reason: He used to play football but kept breaking his prosthetic leg. His prosthetic maker advised him to go along to the 2016 European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where there was an opportunity to try out a running blade. "I wasn't into athletics but I didn't want to disappoint my prosthetic maker so I went along. I was invited, together with 11 other children from all over the Netherlands, to participate in a small competition during the European championships in Amsterdam. We were given a blade, on which we were also allowed to train that summer. It felt like a liberation." (Facebook page, 06 Aug 2021; atletiek.nl, 18 May 2021; Athlete, 20 Aug 2018; YouTube channel, 28 Jan 2017)
Ambition: To win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games. Away from competition, he aspires to become a doctor. (dehoogstraatorthopedietechniek.nl, 17 Jun 2023)
Awards: He was named Male Para Athlete of the Year for 2023 by the Dutch Olympic Committee*Dutch Sports Federation [NOC*NSF]. (nocnsf.nl, 20 Dec 2023)
Sporting Relatives: His brother Jelke has played tennis at national junior level. (harlingenboeit.nl, 08 May 2018)
Frequently Asked Questions
Personal Details
GenderMale
Birth DateJanuary 17, 2002
OccupationAthlete
EducationPhysiotherapy - Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands
Languages SpokenDutch, English
CoachFynn van Buuren [national]; Joep Janssen [national]
Highlights
| Rank | Event | Year | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralympic Games | ||||
| 6 | Long Jump - T63 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 6.41 |
| 8 | 100m - T63 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 12.90 |
| World Championships | ||||
| 1 | 100m - T63 | 2023 | Paris, FRA | 12.09 |
| 2 | Long Jump - T63 | 2024 | Kobe, JPN | 7.04 |
| 3 | 100m - T63 | 2024 | Kobe, JPN | 12.19 |
| 3 | Long Jump - T63 | 2023 | Paris, FRA | 6.92 |
