13-09-2024
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!
05-10-2025
Yesterday, I officially received my Bachelors Degree in Laws (LL.B.). Despite having had my diploma since January, this ceremony felt like a special occasion to reflect on everything I have achieved. It was a day full of pride and joy, and I look forward to what the future will bring me!
24-08-2025
From August 21 to 24, 2025, I took part in the very first Sportwerk Champions Camp in Düsseldorf (Germany)—an exceptional Taekwondo event organized by Sportwerk Düsseldorf.
The camp consisted of four intensive training days, with a total of seven sessions. These sessions were led by an impressive line-up of Olympic and World Champion coaches, including Rosendo Alonso, Bianca Cook, Aaron Cook, and Erdal Töre.
In addition to technical and tactical training, we had the opportunity to truly test our skills during match simulations using KPNP’s next-generation electronic scoring system.
The sessions were both educational and exhausting, filled with valuable insights, motivation, and team spirit. The perfect blend of challenge and enjoyment turned this training camp into not only a highly instructive event but also an unforgettable experience.
A big thank you to Sportwerk Düsseldorf for the invitation, the flawless organization, and the opportunity to train under such outstanding coaches. You truly made this camp a success!
Pictures shot by: Julia Ronken
27-07-2025
I’m incredibly proud and grateful to have represented Tilburg University once again on one of the world’s biggest student-athlete stages — the FISU World University Games in the Rhine-Ruhr region, Germany.
This unforgettable event brought together over 8,500 student-athletes from more than 100 countries. Competing at this level is already a privilege — but I was especially honoured to be chosen as flagbearer for the Netherlands 🇳🇱 during the spectacular opening ceremony in Duisburg. That moment, standing under the lights and carrying our flag, is one I will carry with me for life.
The atmosphere, the sportsmanship, and the friendships built during these 12 days made it a truly enriching experience. I embraced every moment — both on and off the mat.
In my opening match, I faced a strong opponent from Thailand. It was an intense, back-and-forth fight that went the full distance. After three hard-fought rounds, I lost 1–2. While it was disappointing to miss out on progressing further, my opponent went on to win the gold medal, which underlines the level of competition at this tournament.
Huge thanks to Studentensport Nederland for their outstanding organisation, and to Rafik Zohri and Hamza El Baroud for their great coaching.
And of course, thank you to Tilburg University, CurrentWerkt, UnitedConsumers, and Nihon Sport Nederland for their continued, sponsoring, support and trust. Thanks to you, I’ve been able to create another unforgettable chapter in my combined academic and athletic journey.
With this, the 2024–2025 season comes to an end — but my motivation is as strong as ever.
Here’s to new challenges, new goals, and more growth ahead!
A proud taekwondo athlete with Olympic ambitions who represents the Netherlands at international tournaments. Besides the passion for sports, Aymen is also a Master student of International Law & Global Governance at Tilburg University.
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