Today, I had the opportunity to attend a highly educational and inspiring networking event organised by the NOC*NSF Athletes’ Committee, as the athlete representative of the Taekwondo Federation. The event took place at Papendal and was hosted in collaboration with NL Sporter. It was a valuable occasion to exchange experiences, learn from one another, and connect with fellow athlete representatives from various sports federations.

In a dynamic college tour-style session, Adam Bakker from NL Sporter engaged in an open conversation with former top speed skater and experienced athlete representative Douwe de Vries. Their honest stories about their experiences, challenges, and achievements showed how you can truly make an impact as an athlete representative within your sports federation.

We also worked together to discuss how we, as athlete representatives, can better represent our athletes and how we can strengthen the connections between the different Athlete Committees. The event offered plenty of space for exchanging ideas on effective communication, sharing best practices, and further developing our roles as athlete representatives.

As a perfect conclusion to the day, we visited the BMX World Cup, where we enjoyed spectacular races from the VIP stand. During this sporting intermezzo, we continued our conversations and shared experiences in a relaxed setting.

All in all, it was a valuable and inspiring day that not only provided new insights but also helped strengthen the network of committed athlete representatives.

I'm proud to announce that, as of today, I am supported by an incredible new sponsor: United Consumers! It feels amazing to know that this wonderful company believes in me and my Olympic dream. Top-level sports aren't only about talent, hard work, and perseverance, but increasingly about teamwork and support from strong partners who believe in our shared goals. Without their backing, Olympic ambitions simply aren't realistically achievable. That's why I am deeply grateful for United Consumers' support on this special journey!

United Consumers is a Dutch company that has been active since 2000 from its headquarters in Eindhoven. The company helps consumers save money on essential expenses like fuel, energy, health insurance, and mobile subscriptions. Their mission is clear: delivering high-quality services at the best possible price, giving people more freedom to enjoy what's truly important in life. With more than half a million participants, United Consumers has proven itself to be a reliable and stable partner committed to customer satisfaction and social responsibility.

The partnership with United Consumers not only provides me with financial support but also gives me a sense of trust and recognition. It motivates me every day to push harder toward achieving my goals and dreams. Together with United Consumers, I look forward confidently to the road ahead towards the Olympic Games, and I can't wait to celebrate our mutual successes!

From Moot Court Trainer to Student Assistant Research Support: A New Chapter

Since June 1st, I have started in my new role as Student Assistant Research Support at the Department of Public Law and Governance. This marks a wonderful new step in my development, following a valuable period as a moot court trainer within the same department.

As a moot court trainer, I greatly enjoyed guiding students in sharpening their advocacy skills. It was inspiring to see how they grew in persuasiveness, argumentation, and self-confidence. Collaborating with motivated students and faculty not only gave me energy but also provided an opportunity to further deepen my own legal knowledge and didactic skills.

In my new position as Student Assistant Research Support, I am shifting my focus from training skills to supporting research. This means I am involved in various research activities within the department. These include collecting and analyzing data, conducting literature reviews, and assisting with the preparation of publications and presentations. It is particularly exciting to contribute to academic work in this way and to witness up close how research is developed.

This new role aligns perfectly with my own studies in International and European Law, which I am pursuing within the same department. The themes and issues I encounter in my work as a student assistant directly connect to the topics I explore during my studies. It is a great opportunity to apply what I have learned in practice while further deepening my understanding of academic research in the field.

I am grateful for the trust placed in me by the Department of Public Law and Governance and for the opportunities I am able to seize here. I see the time ahead as a period full of learning, discovery, and contribution — and I look forward to continuing to share my experiences and insights.

Yesterday, through SportheldenOpSchool and gym teacher (and also taekwondo teacher) Hamza Koubia and gym teacher Wessel, I was able to provide three clinics at the OnzeWereld primary school in The Hague. This brought about taekwondo to around 60 pupils from group 6, group 7A and 7B. It was great to experience the enthusiasm of the children. In turn, they inspire me with their positive energy. Not only was it great to see the youth practicing your passionate sport, but you also contribute to the vision of a healthier lifestyle with sufficient exercise. My sincere wish is to keep them this positive energy and health that they showed me yesterday for as long as possible.

Thanks to SportheldenOpSchool and the representatives of the OnzeWereld primary school!

Finally Back on the Mat

After a long time away from the international stage, this past weekend I finally made my return to the mat. It felt almost surreal — yet completely familiar. The tension in the arena, the bright lights, the buzz of the crowd, and the voice over the speakers — everything fell right back into place.

After a successful weigh-in on Friday, I stepped into my first match on Saturday against Malaysia. It was a tight and intense fight that ended in a draw, but I managed to secure the win in the extra round. Up next was Hungary in the quarterfinals. We battled through two hard-fought rounds, but after another draw, I unfortunately came up just short.

Despite my long absence, I’m proud of the level I was able to show throughout the tournament. A medal wasn't in the cards this time, but I feel stronger than ever and can clearly see the progress in my performance. This experience has only fueled my hunger for more, and I'm heading into the next event with full energy and confidence!

Partnering with Elvou: A New Chapter in Health and High Performance

In the world of elite sports, timing is everything. Every second matters, every move has to hit the mark – and nothing is more important than having a body and mind in peak condition. That’s why I’m incredibly proud to announce my new partnership with Elvou, the rising lifestyle brand that’s changing the game when it comes to natural health and performance.

A Shared Vision: Health as the Foundation for Greatness

As an athlete, I know what it takes to compete at the highest level. Discipline, dedication, focus – but above all, a deep understanding of how your body works, and how to fuel it. That’s exactly where Elvou comes in. From the very first moment, I felt a connection with their mission: helping people perform and live better through honest, effective, and science-backed health products.

Elvou isn’t just about supplements – it’s a movement. A brand built on purity, transparency, and real results. No fluff, no fillers – just what your body actually needs.

Elvou: From Roots to Rise

Elvou was born in the Netherlands, out of frustration with the overload of artificial products and superficial health marketing. The founders – coming from backgrounds in sports, science, and nutrition – wanted to build something better. Something clean, honest, and powerful.

Today, Elvou is more than a brand. It’s a growing community of athletes, professionals, and conscious consumers who believe in real health and long-term performance.

Not Just a Partnership – A Movement

This partnership is about more than just branding. It’s about aligning with a vision that mirrors my own. “What you put into your body determines how you perform – not just in training or competition, but in every part of life. Elvou gives me exactly what I need to unlock my full potential."

In the coming months, I'll be sharing valuable insights on training, recovery, and nutrition. Elvou will also launch exclusive products and routines focused on performance and wellbeing – made for all people who want to take things to the next level.

The Future Is Holistic

This collaboration is a step forward. It’s about setting a new standard in sport and wellness – one where performance and health go hand in hand. No more compromises. Just a lifestyle that supports longevity, energy, and excellence

With pure nutrition, that’s when you truly perform.

National Team Sparring Day: Growing Together, Competing Together

This past Sunday was all about development, sharpness, and preparation for the upcoming qualification tournaments. In an intense, yet above all inspiring setting, the first official sparring day of the national team took place — a day where nothing mattered more than getting better. More rhythm, more resistance, more focus.

The objective of the day was clear: to facilitate as many high-quality practice matches as possible for the national team athletes in preparation for the upcoming international qualification tournaments in Sweden (May) and Luxembourg (June).

Sharpening Focus for Sweden and Luxembourg

The qualification events in Sweden and Luxembourg are the final opportunities to secure a spot at the international finals later this year. The pressure is on — and that’s exactly what makes days like these so valuable. Through intense sparring moments in a realistic, competitive setting, we were able to fine-tune our fight rhythm and sharpen our competition mindset.

Team Effort from Start to Finish

A day like this requires preparation, commitment, and collaboration. From the coaches who ran a tight program to the sparring partners who delivered quality at the right moment — everyone played a part in making it a success. Special thanks to the Dutch Taekwondo Federation for making this day possible.

We look back on a productive and successful day — and we look ahead to what’s next. Because the road to success isn’t paved by talent alone, but by dedication, teamwork, and the will to get just a little better every single day.

To be continued.

New Gear, New Energy: Sponsored by NihonSport & JC

Ever wondered how many kicks we throw per training session, per week, per month? In elite sports, it’s all about the details, which in our case, is multiplied with all the amounts of kicks we throw. That one millisecond faster, that fraction more control, that subtle improvement that can ultimately mean the difference between winning and losing. And it all starts in training — where the right gear is absolutely essential.

That’s why I’m incredibly happy and grateful to be supported by NihonSport, who provided me with the brand-new JC Taekwondo shoes — specifically designed for maximum performance, without compromise.

A Modern Classic

The new JC shoes are a tribute to the traditional Taekwondo shoe: sleek, clean, and functional. But these aren’t just a throwback — they combine timeless design with cutting-edge innovation. The result? A shoe that feels like you’re training barefoot, yet gives you the protection and grip you need to push your limits.

What stood out to me immediately after my first session was the minimal, ultra-precise sole. No thick padding or unnecessary lift — just a flat, stable base that quite literally brings you closer to the mat. That direct contact with the floor is key for speed, balance, and explosive movement.

Feel the Gain, Measure the Difference

In Taekwondo, every movement is a combination of timing, feeling, and speed. These JC shoes help me fine-tune all of those elements even further. Because of the increased ground contact, my reactions are sharper, my footwork more efficient, and my kicks just that little bit quicker.

Gratitude to My Sponsors

A huge thank you to NihonSport and JC for your support and belief in me. Your backing quite literally helps me move forward — towards my goals and beyond.

I’m looking forward to training with these shoes in the coming period — and making every kick count.

Let’s keep moving forward.

From now on you can get 10% discount on your purchase online at NihonSport! This can be done by using the following code: AYMEN10. With this you support my sporting career as NihonSport does!