Started rowing in 2002 and won bronze in 2004 World U23 Championships in the single sculls. In 2005, he won the European Ergometer Championships and the World’s single scull title at the World U23 Championships. At the 2008 World Cup in Munich he was eighth and seventh at the Luzerne World Cup. In Beijing, he was placed 13th in the Olympic single sculls.

Born: 08/02/1983, Oldeberkoop (Holland)

Home town: Utrecht (Holland)

College: Oriel

Nationality: Dutch

Year enrolled: 2008

Course: MSc Evidence Based Social Intervention

Course length: 1 year

Previous Uni: Utrecht University

School: Stellingwerf College (Holland)

Height: 2.05m (6’ 9”)

Weight: 100kg (220 lbs)