Occupation
Athlete
Education
Economics - Tilburg University, Netherlands
Spoken languages
Dutch, English, German
Coach
Bram van Bokhoven [national], NED
Sporting relatives
His older sister Marlies represented the Netherlands in artistic gymnastics at two editions of the world championships before retiring in 2012. (rotterdamtopsport.nl, 2014; examiner.com, 08 Feb 2012; gympower.nl, 27 Sep 2010; SportsDeskOnline, 30 Sep 2021)
Injuries
A knee injury caused him to miss the 2017 European Championships in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. (sports2visuals.com, 21 Mar 2017)
In 2015 he tore ligaments in his ankle while trying to save a lamb that had become trapped in a fence. Despite the injury, he was still able to compete at the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, but could not participate in the floor exercise or vault. (o-en-o-zwijndrecht.nl, 29 Jul 2016)
In November 2012 he broke the calf bone and shin bone in his left leg while competing on floor at an event in Zurich, Switzerland. He returned to training in February 2013. (gympower.nl, 2013, 30 Nov 2012)
Start sporting career
He took up gymnastics at age nine. (rtvrijnmond YouTube channel, 06 Oct 2015; intogymnastics.nl, 2015)
Reason for taking up the sport
His siblings were involved in the sport. "As a little boy, gymnastics is one big playground. When I first saw a real gymnastics hall with a brick pit and a high trampoline, I was immediately sold. First it is just playing, later it becomes sport." (universonline.nl, 27 Jun 2018; intlgymnast.com, 29 Aug 2017; rotterdamtopsport.nl, 2014)
Most memorable sporting achievement
Helping the Dutch team qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games. (Dutch Gymnastics KNGU YouTube Channel, 20 Sep 2017)
Philosophy / Motto
"It does not make any sense to be nervous all the time. You cannot keep that up. I just stay calm, I do not have that much trouble doing it. I feel the tension on the competition floor, but I have learned to enjoy it." (universonline.nl, 27 Jun 2018)
Awards
He received a spot on the Wall of Fame at the Tilburg University Sports Center in 2019. (Instagram profile, 31 May 2019)
Additional information
General
OTHER STUDIES
He has studied for a master's degree at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Jun 2021)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
He has served as a member of the Interim Athletes' Commission at the Royal Dutch Gymnastics Union [KNGU]. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Jun 2021)
Last update : 2021-09-30
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