High points of the Plantina athletes

28 December 2009 - Sporting year 2009 is now behind us. For many sportsmen and women a year after the Olympic Games, but nonetheless no less important. New Dutch Championships, European Championships, World Championships and qualification tournaments were marked in the agenda. And so plenty of new opportunities to collect a medal or to simply get in amongst the top athletes.

For the sportsmen and women at Plantina, success was divided. A number was struggling with injuries requiring a recovery period, others found a place amongst the (world’s) leading athletes, and a number of others won excellent medals in challenging competitions.
A summary of the most important events:

• Alex Schelvis swam for gold at the Dutch 5 km championship;
• Carola Uilenhoed struggled with injuries but was rewarded with victory in the Dutch Championships;
• Dennis Voermans and Samantha Kolijn won bronze at Dutch Championship Standard and demonstrated international growth;
• Eef de Groot extended the Dutch title for 500 m and 1000 m K1 canoeing, and achieved 11th position in a debut performance at the World Marathon Championships;
• Henk Grol won silver in the European and World Judo Championships 2009;
• George van Gorkum won the Bridge to Bridge run in the category 55+;
• Ingmar Vos enjoyed a successful debut at the World Athletics Championships;
• Jesse Huta Galung won three tournaments and is now gaining ground on the top players;
• Jolanda Keizer achieved silver at the European Indoor Pentathlon Championships;
• Korie Homan was second at the Australian Open, won Wimbledon with doubles partner Esther Vergeer and came a close second with the same partner during the Masters;
• Langhenkel Orion 1 is frontrunner halfway through the volleyball season;
• Marlou Kluiving came third during the Winter Youth Circuit, and is now 3rd on the national ranking for under 16s;
• Mik Borsten was impressive in a number of (ultra)marathons and launched a running group for businesses Loopnu.nl;
• Nicolien Sauerbreij qualified for the Olympic Games;
• Niels van Eck became Sprint Champion in Drenthe, and as an upcoming talent achieved 5th place during the 100 m breaststroke at the Dutch Championship for Seniors;
• Nienke van Eck swam Circuit record in 400 m and 800 m freestyle for seniors;
• Patrick van Luik won two titles at the Dutch Championship, but was unable to demonstrate his excellent form at the World Athletics Championship;
• Raymond Witvliet is currently in joint first place with his team in the prestigious indoor competition, and is high in the top scorers list;
• Robert Lathouwers qualified for the World Athletics Championships, but missed the final due to injury;
• Robin van Aggele surprised all comers becoming European Champion 100 m breaststroke Short Course;
• Ruben Houkes was unable to continue his Olympic success during the World Judo Championship held in the Netherlands;
• Violet Wattenberg demonstrated fabulous play during the 2009 European Cricket Championship; above all thanks to her, Scotland was defeated and Ireland struggled;
• Wieke Dijkstra became European Champion with the Dutch hockey team.

In 2010, the Olympic Winter Games and the Football World Cup are the big eye catchers, but throughout the year, every athlete hopes to achieve success in important matches and tournaments.

Plantina is confident of the ambitions of its sportsmen and women, and hopes to move forward with them!