I’m proud to announce that I’ve recently gained the support of a remarkable new sponsor: CurrentWerkt!

It means a great deal to be backed by an organization that believes in opportunity, perseverance, and the power of people. These are exactly the same values that have shaped my journey as a top athlete. High-performance sport is not just about physical achievements, but also about character, recovery, and resilience – qualities that are also central to the work of CurrentWerkt.

CurrentWerkt is a social employer that helps people who face barriers to employment make a fresh start. Think of people who have been out of the workforce for a while, or former inmates working to get their lives back on track. Through personal guidance, tailored support, and real opportunities, they create new perspectives. And with impressive results: sustainable reintegration into work and a significant drop in recidivism.

As a lawyer, I understand how important it is that everyone has a right to a second chance. And as an athlete, I know how vital it is to have someone who believes in you – especially when you're trying to rise again. That social mission of CurrentWerkt deeply resonates with me. Because what they do is also elite sport: building trust, development, and future – day in, day out.

This partnership with CurrentWerkt means more to me than just support on the road to my Olympic dream. It’s a collaboration that stands for something greater: for fair chances, social justice, and making an impact together.

Grateful and motivated, I look forward to everything we will achieve together!

#TeamAymen #CurrentWerkt #NewOpportunities #OlympicDream #SportWithPurpose #SponsorshipNews #StrongerTogether #EqualOpportunities #SocialImpact

Yesterday (June 26), I had the opportunity to represent SportheldenOpSchool at Ahoy Rotterdam during the Final Special – a vibrant sports day for primary school students from grades 5 to 8. A full day of movement, fun, and new discoveries. Several schools from Rotterdam and surrounding areas were present, and Ahoy was transformed into a giant sports playground with more than 22 different activities.

And me? I had the honor of leading taekwondo clinics – something I do with pride and passion, especially when it comes to getting kids excited about this beautiful sport.

New faces, new energy – every 20 minutes

Throughout the day, fresh groups of students joined me on the mat. Every 20 minutes, I stood in front of a new group of curious faces – sometimes a little nervous too: “What exactly are we going to do?” From basic kicks and stances to practicing freely on the pads – the reactions were fantastic. I often heard, “Can we spar already?”

The age range and group sizes varied, which brought a lot of variety and gave me the opportunity to adapt each session just a bit. From quiet, hesitant kids to those who jumped right in with full enthusiasm – everyone found their place on the mat.

From activity to passion?

What really moved me were the kids who were so enthusiastic they didn’t want to leave. Some stayed on the mat with me for almost an hour and a half – even though there were 21 other activities waiting for them! That says something about the power of taekwondo, but also about how important it is to give kids the space to discover what truly excites them.

The most touching moment? A boy who stood on the sidelines at first, unsure and a little reserved. But after just one exercise, he started to smile – and didn’t want to stop. That’s exactly why I do this.

More than just kicks and punches

One thing I always try to teach during a clinic is that taekwondo isn’t just a physical sport. It’s a practice in self-confidence, respect, and control. You learn about yourself. You learn to recognize limits – your own and those of others. And you discover that “fighting” in a sport context means something completely different than it does on the street.

Grateful and proud

Looking back, I feel nothing but gratitude. Thank you to SportheldenOpSchool and Sportbedrijf Rotterdam for the flawless organization. And of course, thank you to all the students, teachers, and supervisors – for your openness, energy, and enthusiasm. It was a privilege to share a piece of my world with you.

Until next time – on the mat or beyond!

– Aymen

Fighting and Still Being Friends – Clinic & Talk at Taalschool Westland

Last week, I had the honor of giving a workshop at Taalschool Westland – a special and inspiring place where students from all over the world come together to learn Dutch and slowly rebuild their lives here.

I gave a taekwondo clinic to nearly 55 students, followed by a presentation about my own journey: about elite sport, discipline, setbacks, and resilience – but above all, about the importance of connection.

What made this day truly special was the audience: many of the students are young refugees, coming from countries where violence and conflict have been part of daily life. For them, the idea that people can fight each other – and still be friends afterwards was almost impossible to grasp. That’s why we focused on this topic during the presentation.

Respect, Not Aggression

We spoke about the difference between aggression and control. About how martial arts – especially taekwondo – are rooted in respect, discipline, and self-control. You don’t train to hurt someone else. You train to develop yourself. To learn how to manage strength. To recognize boundaries – in yourself and in others.

For many of these young people, that was a new perspective. In their world, fighting is often linked to survival or danger. To see that it can also be a sport, a form of expression, and even a path to friendship was clearly eye-opening.

The Power of a Story

In the second part of the workshop, I shared my personal story in sport – from a young boy with a dream to an elite athlete who also faced injuries, setbacks, and doubt. But also someone who learned that mental resilience, focus, and community are just as important as physical strength.

I invited the students to reflect on their own stories – where they come from, where they are now, and most importantly: where they want to go. Whether you're on a taekwondo mat or in a classroom, you always have the choice to grow – consciously and with purpose.

Sport as a Bridge

What moved me most was the students’ openness, enthusiasm, and curiosity. And how a seemingly simple taekwondo exercise could spark so much joy. For a moment, sport wasn’t the goal – it became a bridge. Between cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.

A big thank you to Taalschool Westland for the invitation, to SportheldenOpSchool for organizing, and to all the students for their energy, questions, and open hearts. I hope I didn’t just show them a sport, but also a new way of seeing themselves – and each other.

Until next time – on the mat or beyond.
 Aymen

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.

It’s Been Quiet on My End Lately

Not because I had nothing to say, but because my body forced me to take a step back. Injuries — that word every athlete gets goosebumps of — disrupted everything. During the Swedish Open, I sustained a knee injury in my very first match.

It’s something every athlete faces sooner or later. You train hard, push yourself to the limit, stay sharp with nutrition, rest, and recovery… and still, it happens. One wrong move. One moment of overload. And suddenly, you're out. Just when you think you’re almost fully recovered, another setback hits you.

From the outside, elite sport often looks like a straight upward line: train, improve, win. But behind every achievement lies a reality of both highs and lows. Injuries aren’t the exception — they’re part of the game. They confront you with your limits. With patience. With everything you do and everything you stand for.

Fortunately, I’m now in the rehabilitation phase. Things are going in the right direction — and more importantly, it could have been a lot worse. Every day, I work with focus and dedication toward recovery. Not just to “come back,” but to return stronger, more aware, and sharper than before.

Rehabilitation is also elite sport. Maybe even the purest form of it: no spotlight, no applause, but full commitment. And while I miss sparring, the adrenaline, and the competition, I also feel gratitude. For the people around me. For the lessons this brings. And for the realization that sometimes growth happens in stillness.

I look forward to standing on the mat again soon — not just physically, but mentally stronger than ever.

See you soon,
 Aymen

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!