Biography
Started: He first took up swimming at age five at the ZZ & PC De Devel club in Zwijndrecht, Netherlands. His journey into Para swimming began in December 2012 when his sight deteriorated rapidly, and he began to struggle to swim in a straight line. (rogierdorsman.nl, 30 Dec 2019; ad.nl, 19 Jul 2018)
Reason: His mother got him involved in Para swimming after contacting the Royal Dutch Swimming Federation [KNZB]. "Via the KNZB we came into contact with Para swimming national coach Mark Faber, who invited me to come and visit. Once I swam with him I was allowed to come and train more often. My passion is swimming. Because I can no longer do many things due to the deterioration of my vision, swimming is great for recharging my energy or for getting rid of my negative energy like when I go for hospital check-ups." (rogierdorsman.nl, 30 Dec 2019; ad.nl, 19 Jul 2018)
Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (Facebook profile, 27 Jan 2024)
Awards: In 2021 he received the Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau [fifth class] for his performances at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (rijnmond.nl, 07 Sep 2021)
He was the flag bearer for the Netherlands at the closing ceremony of the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (trouw.nl, 04 Sep 2021)
In 2019 he was named Sportsman of the Year in the municipality of Zwijndrecht, Netherlands. (zwijndrecht.dekombinatie.nl, 29 Jan 2020)
Frequently Asked Questions
Personal Details
GenderMale
Birth DateJuly 28, 1999
Place of ResidenceAMERSFOORT
OccupationAthlete
EducationSports Marketing - Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands
Languages SpokenDutch, English, German
CoachBram Dekker [national], NED
Highlights
| Rank | Event | Year | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralympic Games | ||||
| 1 | 100m Breaststroke - SB11 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 1:11.22 |
| 1 | 200m Individual Medley - SM11 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 2:19.02 |
| 1 | 400m Freestyle - S11 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 4:28.47 |
| 4 | 100m Backstroke - S11 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 1:10.10 |
| 4 | 100m Butterfly - S11 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 1:05.67 |
| World Championships | ||||
| 1 | 100m Breaststroke - SB11 | 2023 | Manchester, GBR | 1:10.31 |
| 1 | 50m Freestyle - S11 | 2023 | Manchester, GBR | 25.89 |
| 1 | 100m Breaststroke - SB11 | 2022 | Funchal, POR | 1:11.38 |
| 1 | 100m Freestyle - S11 | 2022 | Funchal, POR | 56.65 |
| 1 | 200m Individual Medley - SM11 | 2022 | Funchal, POR | 2:18.80 |
| 1 | 400m Freestyle - S11 | 2022 | Funchal, POR | 4:31.63 |
| 1 | 50m Freestyle - S11 | 2022 | Funchal, POR | 26.04 |
| 1 | 200m Individual Medley - SM11 | 2019 | London, GBR | 2:22.02 |
| 1 | 400m Freestyle - S11 | 2019 | London, GBR | 4:28.64 |
| 2 | 100m Freestyle - S11 | 2023 | Manchester, GBR | 57.71 |
| 2 | 200m Individual Medley - SM11 | 2023 | Manchester, GBR | 2:20.79 |
| 2 | 400m Freestyle - S11 | 2023 | Manchester, GBR | 4:34.46 |
| 2 | 100m Backstroke - S11 | 2022 | Funchal, POR | 1:07.96 |
| 2 | 100m Butterfly - S11 | 2022 | Funchal, POR | 1:03.00 |
| 2 | 100m Backstroke - S11 | 2019 | London, GBR | 1:09.64 |
| 2 | 100m Breaststroke - SB11 | 2019 | London, GBR | 1:11.47 |
| 3 | 100m Backstroke - S11 | 2023 | Manchester, GBR | 1:08.49 |
| 5 | 100m Butterfly - S11 | 2023 | Manchester, GBR | 1:05.65 |
| 9 | 100m Freestyle - S11 | 2019 | London, GBR | 1:02.85 |
| Para Swimming European Open Championships | ||||
| 1 | 100m Breaststroke - SB11 | 2024 | Funchal, POR | 1:10.42 |
| 1 | 100m Butterfly - S11 | 2024 | Funchal, POR | 1:03.00 |
| 1 | 100m Freestyle - S11 | 2024 | Funchal, POR | 57.55 |
| 1 | 200m Individual Medley - SM11 | 2024 | Funchal, POR | 2:18.01 |
| 1 | 400m Freestyle - S11 | 2024 | Funchal, POR | 4:26.57 |
| 1 | 50m Freestyle - S11 | 2024 | Funchal, POR | 26.39 |
| 3 | 100m Backstroke - S11 | 2024 | Funchal, POR | 1:08.09 |
