He lived in Vietnam for the first three years of his life. At age six, he moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, with his family. He spent three years in Jakarta and attended the Netherlands International School. His early education laid a strong foundation for his future endeavours.

Start in Swimming

Before his accident in 2009, he was involved in various sports like swimming, football, tennis, and horse riding. After a six-month rehabilitation period, he learned to walk and swim again. He re-joined his former swimming club, DZ and PC Drachten.

Para Swimming Journey

He began Para swimming during his rehabilitation. His dedication to the sport saw him achieve significant milestones. In April 2017, he required surgery due to appendicitis but continued to pursue his passion for swimming.

Memorable Achievements

One of his most memorable achievements was winning silver in the S10 100m backstroke at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. This accomplishment highlighted his resilience and determination.

Awards and Recognition

In 2011, he was named the Young Person of the Year by the youth magazine '7Days' in the Netherlands. This recognition was a testament to his inspiring journey and contributions to sports.

Break from Sport

Following the 2016 Paralympic Games, he took a break from elite-level swimming for about six years. During this period, he focused on his studies and earned a master's degree in science, business, and innovation at the Free University of Amsterdam.

Return to Swimming

He returned to competitive swimming in 2023 with renewed motivation. He trains for about 20 hours a week as he prepares for future competitions.

Ambitions

His primary ambition is to win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. This goal drives his rigorous training schedule and commitment to excellence.

Author

A book about his life story titled 'Kampioen' [Champion] was published in 2011 in the Netherlands. In 2021, a follow-up book called 'Kampioen 2.0' was released, further detailing his journey and achievements.

His journey from early life challenges to becoming a celebrated athlete is inspiring. His dedication to sports and education showcases his multifaceted talents and determination to excel.