Biography
Started: He began swimming at age four and first tried Para swimming at age 14. (medireva.nl, 17 Aug 2021; Paralympisch Zwemteam Facebook page, 10 Sep 2020)
Reason: He received an email from Visio, a Dutch centre for people with a vision impairment, inviting him to take part in a talent day at the National Sports Centre Papendal in the Netherlands. "As a little boy I was terrified of water! Even taking a shower I hated. With a lot of patience, my parents managed to get over my fear. When I was four years old, I took swimming lessons like any other child, but I wanted to keep swimming once I was done with learning how to swim. Surprisingly, I gained more and more confidence then. And a miraculous thing happened: my fear of water turned into deep love. I couldn't get out of the pool anymore! After I got my six swimming diplomas and a snorkeling diploma, I joined a swimming club." (Athlete, 28 Aug 2024; medireva.nl, 17 Aug 2021; Paralympisch Zwemteam Facebook page, 10 Sep 2020)
Awards: He was named Sportsman of the Year at the 2022 Rotterdam Sport Awards in the Netherlands. (dehavenloods.nl, 16 Jan 2023)
Frequently Asked Questions
Personal Details
GenderMale
Birth DateNovember 20, 2002
Place of ResidenceROTTERDAM
OccupationAthlete
Languages SpokenDutch, English
CoachHarm Rozenga [club]; Bram Dekker [national], NED
Highlights
| Rank | Event | Year | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralympic Games | ||||
| 3 | 200m Individual Medley - SM13 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 2:10.79 |
| 5 | 100m Backstroke - S13 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 1:00.50 |
| 6 | 100m Breaststroke - SB13 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 1:06.75 |
| World Championships | ||||
| 1 | 100m Backstroke - S13 | 2023 | Manchester, GBR | 59.60 |
| 2 | 200m Individual Medley - SM13 | 2023 | Manchester, GBR | 2:11.78 |
| 2 | 100m Backstroke - S13 | 2022 | Funchal, POR | 1:00.55 |
| 3 | 100m Breaststroke - SB13 | 2022 | Funchal, POR | 1:06.35 |
| 3 | 200m Individual Medley - SM13 | 2022 | Funchal, POR | 2:13.04 |
| 4 | 200m Individual Medley - SM13 | 2019 | London, GBR | 2:14.69 |
| 5 | 100m Breaststroke - SB13 | 2019 | London, GBR | 1:08.31 |
| 6 | Men's 100m Freestyle S13 | 2023 | Manchester, GBR | 54.07 |
| 6 | Men's 100m Freestyle S13 | 2022 | Funchal, POR | 53.98 |
| DSQ | 100m Backstroke - S13 | 2019 | London, GBR | DSQ |
| Para Swimming European Open Championships | ||||
| 2 | 100m Breaststroke - SB13 | 2024 | Funchal, POR | 1:06.96 |
| 3 | 100m Backstroke - S13 | 2024 | Funchal, POR | 1:00.32 |
| 4 | 200m Individual Medley - SM13 | 2024 | Funchal, POR | 2:12.84 |
| 11 | 50m Freestyle - S13 | 2024 | Funchal, POR | 25.42 |
