Coen de Koning facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Coen de Koning

De Koning in 1934
Personal information
Born	(1879-03-30)30 March 1879 Edam, the Netherlands
Died	29 July 1954(1954-07-29) (aged 75) Breda, the Netherlands
Sport
Country	Netherlands
Sport	Speed skating
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	1912 Elfstedentocht 1917 Elfstedentocht
Medal record Men's speed skating Representing the  Netherlands World Allround Championships Gold 1905 Groningen Allround European Championships Silver 1904 Davos Allround Bronze 1906 Davos Allround Dutch Allround championships Gold 1903 Groningen Allround Gold 1905 Deventer Allround Gold 1912 Leeuwarden Allround

Coen de Koning (born March 30, 1879 – died July 29, 1954) was a famous Dutch speed skater and cyclist. He is remembered for being one of the first Dutch athletes to win a world title in speed skating. Coen de Koning was a true champion, winning many races and setting impressive records during his career.

Coen de Koning: A Dutch Skating Champion

Coen de Koning started his sports journey as a cyclist. But he soon switched to speed skating. This turned out to be a great decision for him.

Becoming a World Champion

In 1905, Coen de Koning made history. He became the second Dutch speed skater to win a world title. This happened at the World Allround Championships. He won the 1500m, 5000m, and 10,000m races. He also finished second in the 500m event.

Coen de Koning also won the national all-around title in the Netherlands. He achieved this three times: in 1903, 1905, and 1912. He set new national records in the 500m and 10,000m races in 1905. These records stood for a very long time. The 500m record lasted until 1926, and the 10,000m record until 1929.

Setting a World Record

In 1906, Coen de Koning set a world record. He skated 32,370 meters in just one hour. This was an amazing distance to cover on skates!

Winning the Elfstedentocht

Coen de Koning is also famous for winning the Elfstedentocht. This is a very long and challenging ice skating race in the Netherlands. It covers almost 200 kilometers (about 124 miles). He won this tough race twice: in 1912 and again in 1917. Winning the Elfstedentocht is a huge achievement for any Dutch speed skater.

A Family of Skaters

Speed skating was a big part of Coen de Koning's family. His brother, Jacobus "Sjaak" Petrus de Koning, also became a national champion in 1914. Coen's son, Jacobus Petrus Coenradus de Koning, competed in national championships in 1942. Even his cousin, Aad de Koning, took part in the 1948 Winter Olympics. Other relatives, Truus Dijkstra and Jacques de Koning, were also well-known Dutch speed skaters. It seems that skating talent ran in their family!