Four years ago, I started my bachelor's degree in Law at Tilburg University. The university has made it possible for me to pursue my top-level sports ambitions in combination with  my studies. In these four years, in addition to almost completing my bachelor's degree, I have also achieved many sports achievements.

The university has a Wall of Fame to recognize and put in the spotlight its students who excel in both their studies and their sporting career. My dream has always been to have my name on this wall next to the tile of my current region coach Tommy Mollet who reached the Olympic Games and also studied at the same university. The past few years have been extremely challenging for me, and I have had to make many sacrifices in order to be able to combine these two careers.

What was initially a dream suddenly became reality. What initially seemed like a long road suddenly turned out to have been completed after taking small steps. I received the message that I had been nominated to be put on the Wall of Fame. As an athlete, you are always looking ahead to what is yet to come, but we hardly ever think about what we have achieved. After winning the nominations, I  realized what great achievements I have achieved over the past four years. This is a great moment to take a moment to look back to it.

Continuously striving for the highest possible level and competing at a world level is an enormous challenge, which I have combined with a university education. The fact that the university recognizes this and has nominated me means a lot to me. It is not always easy to pursue your ambitions with sounds like 'top-level sport is an exaggerated hobby' and 'top-level sport has hardly any added value'. Top-level sport simply has a less favorable position in Dutch society and has minimal support. The fact that the university and more and more other institutions recognize and support the real added value of top-level sport is an important step to the right direction. With the Wall of Fame, the university is encouraging the student athletes. It shows that we are seen and appreciated. But more importantly, our hard work is seen and appreciated.

That is why I would like to thank the University enormously for this award! 

This is one of my highlights that will stay with me for the rest of my life!!

Thank you all!