Elisabeth Willeboordse – European judo champion 2005

I am now 27 years old, and from the age of nine have been a judoka through and through! I was born in Middelburg. At 17 I moved to Goirle, to continue my judo career, which I had started at the Geelhoed sports school in Zeeland. I joined the Jan de Rooij sports school, and in Goirle successfully completed my secondary education. The move to Goirle was a good one, and has had a major influence both on myself and on my Judo. What Geelhoed started in Zeeland, Jan de Rooij has concluded to perfection, in Goirle!

I have now obtained my CIOS certificate as a sports instructor. Since 2005, I have been studying medicine at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. My goal is not only to focus on my sports career, but to develop a professional career, too.

Today, as well as by my judo trainer and central coach Jan de Rooij, I am supervised by national coach Marjolein van Unen. Both of them accompany me to foreign events. I have a power trainer in Rotterdam, Hans Kroon. I have joined the Budokan Rotterdam foundation, to provide me with extra support in my personal elite sporting plan. I also have a mental trainer, Jan Looman, who helps me to be in top form mentally, when I have to perform on the mat. After all, elite sport is a combination of a whole range of disciplines, all of which you must be good at! Hence the many specialists surrounding me.