Marcel Wouda

Marcel Reinier Wouda, born January 23, 1972 in Tilburg, Netherlands is a former swimmer, who became Holland's first world champion when he won the world title in the 200 individual medley at the FINA World Championships in Perth, Australia in 1998.

Related Topics:
January 23 - 1972 - Tilburg - Netherlands - Swimmer - FINA - World Championships - Perth - Australia - 1998

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Wouda grew up in Uden, where he joined swimming club De Zeester at a very young age. His trainers were Martien Swinkels and then Rob Kennis, who brought him to the top of Dutch swimming. Wouda made his olympic debut at the 1992 Olympic Games, where he was the sole male in the Dutch squad of eight females. Afterwards he moved to the United States, where he joined The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, under the guidance of trainer-coach Jon Urbanchek.

Related Topics:
Uden - 1992 Olympic Games - United States - Michigan - Ann Arbor

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Two years later Wouda moved back to The Netherlands, where trainer-coach Jacco Verhaeren brought him back to the top. With two world records on short course (25 metres) and a world title in 1998 (long course) Wouda was responsible for the rebirth of Dutch swimming.

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Unfortenately for him it turned out to be that his physique wasn't good enough any more for the 2000 Olympic Games, in which he altough won a bronze medal in the 800 freestyle relay. In the aftermath of the Sydney Olympics Wouda resigned from swimming. Six months later a Dutch journalist from Dutch daily NRC Handelsblad, Mark Hoogstad, revealed a book in which Wouda was the main character. It describes the resurrection of Dutch swimming at the hand of Wouda's career.

Related Topics:
2000 Olympic Games - NRC Handelsblad

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Wouda currently is the head coach of Dutch junior swimming.

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