Ten weeks before the start of the Paralympic Games in Paris, I reached a huge milestone. During the Grand Prix competition in Nottwil, Switzerland, I broke the world record for the T64-class 100 meters with a time of 12.46 seconds, improving the old world record by two-tenths. This confirms my top form for the upcoming Paralympic Games in Paris.
When I crossed the finish line in Nottwil, the clock showed 12.48, but I didn’t notice it. I only thought about my time after I had crossed the finish line. The euphoria only hit when Fynn van Buuren (head coach) and Hervé called me over after the race. That’s when I heard my time and realized what I had done.
I broke another world record!
WTF!
This is the result of months of intensive training, discipline, and dedication. Yet, this race felt very relaxed, and I hit every step. This confirms that I am ready for Paris.
Of course, it’s bizarre that I can already say I have experience with this, as this was not my only highlight of the season. Last month, during the Harry Schulting Games in Vught, I also set a world record in the 200 meters with a time of 26.09 seconds. But I did not see this 100-meter time coming. These successes show that my training program and focus on details are paying off.
However, my world record in the 200 meters was broken by Marlène van Gansewinkel during the World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan, with a time of 25.73 seconds. Still, I fully support my decision to skip the World Championships in Kobe. By fully concentrating on the Paralympic Games, I believe I can achieve the most. This decision was not easy, but my performances confirm that it was the right choice to be optimally prepared. By focusing on my training and recovery, I can take my performance to a higher level.
Next week, I will be in Paris for the Grand Prix there. I look forward to pushing my limits again and continuing my preparation for the Paralympic Games. With each race, I feel stronger and more focused on my goal.
Have questions? Let me know in the comments below.
When I look back on my journey to Paralympic top sprintster, the title should actually be; ‘The journey to myself’. In elite sports you are dependent on yourself, so if you drop the ball physically or mentally, you will immediately feel that during the race.
May 8, I opened the season in Lisse (the Netherlands) with a false start and the following week was the Grand Prix in Nottwill and my racing season started far from what I had in mind.
I tensed up during the race. Also, my preparation for racing was far from optimal. I a few aches and pains such as my tibial and SI joint in the lower back. This resulted in a loss of five weeks of track training. Only a few weeks before the competition season.
Another issue was that Keith could not come to the Netherlands and thus I couldn’t continue the upward line set in Stellenbosch. As a result, I lost an edge which I found in South-Africa. It is really time for Keith to over here, even if only to meet and catch up with Joep.
To make things even more complex, my orthopedic technician was away for three months to help soldiers in Armenia get back on their feet. As a result, my tube and blade are not ready for the competition season. My blade is too far from the tube and because of this you see a swing in my blade that costs energy. Also, this does not help me check my blade. I’m just glad this’ll be resolved after the European Championship.
Despite all these issues, I am still ahead of schedule and we have enough time to get to the competition level.
In Nottwill I qualified for the European Championship on the 100 & 200m. During the 200m I also broke the the Dutch qualification standard for the Paralympics in Tokyo. In Nottwill there were a number of issues that would immediately win some time. For example, we decided to start without a block. Reason for this was a lack of training with the starting blocks during the winter.
During my last 100m in Nottwill I regained that good feeling I was looking for. As a result, I now also know how to be in the race mentally to improve the next race. Joep helped me with this very well to get me ready for this specific race.
And that is mainly enjoying and believing in my potential.
Enjoy being able to race again after the Games were postponed and despite all Corona measures. I am allowed again and now I feel a lot more relaxed than when I started in Lisse. I had a lot of trouble with my partner and family not being present at my competitions. I just needed a few races to get over that. It feels less fun, competitions without an audience. But on the other hand, I can also be happy that there are races again. My next competition is May 29 in Nijmegen and after that the European Championship in Poland. Which I’m really looking forward to.
The only thing I keep saying is that I can write a book about it that you as an athlete will have to deal with in times of corona. It hits the sport and the experience around it hard. And I can put on my mask and pretend it doesn’t bother me, but that would be a lie.
Despite all of this, I still stick to my goal, which is to fly for life. Show people that there is hope and perspective that despite the wind isn’t in your favor, you can still do your best to get the best out of yourself.
That’s why I do what I do because I’m curious about the journey, but also about where my ceiling is.