Eric Verdonk facts for kids
Verdonk in 2009
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| Full name | Eric Franciscus Maria Verdonk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 28 May 1959 Taihape, New Zealand |
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| Died | 3 April 2020 (aged 60) Auckland, New Zealand |
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| Height | 189 cm (6 ft 2 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 85 kg (187 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Rowing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Eric Franciscus Maria Verdonk (born 28 May 1959 – died 3 April 2020) was a famous rower from New Zealand. He was known for winning bronze medals in the single sculls rowing events. He achieved these medals at the 1988 Summer Olympics, the 1986 Commonwealth Games, and the 1990 World Rowing Championships. Eric was a very successful athlete in the sport of rowing.
Contents
Eric's Rowing Journey
Eric Verdonk started his rowing journey at Westlake Boys High School in Forrest Hill, Auckland. In 1976, he won the important Maadi Cup competition. He joined the North Shore Rowing Club in 1973 and was a member there for many years.
Commonwealth Games Success
At the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Eric won a bronze medal. This was for the single sculls event. He also placed fourth in the double sculls event at those Games.
Olympic Games Achievements
Eric competed in the single sculls at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. He won his first race, then came third in his semi-final. In the final race, he finished third, earning a bronze medal for New Zealand.
He also competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. There, he finished in fourth place. He was very close to winning another medal.
World Championships and Other Wins
Eric took part in five World Rowing Championships during his career. His best result was a bronze medal in 1990 in Tasmania, Australia. He also placed sixth in 1987 and fifth in 1991 at these championships.
In 1994, Eric won the double sculls event at the Commonwealth Championships in Canada. He also came second in the quad scull event there. Eric was the first New Zealander to win a single sculls event at the famous Henley Royal Regatta. He also came second in the single sculls at the Henley Royal Regatta another year.
Eric was a national champion many times in New Zealand. He won seven New Zealand single sculls national championships in a row from 1987 to 1993. He also won six New Zealand double sculls national championships with different partners.
After Retirement
After he stopped competing, Eric continued to be involved in sports. He worked for the Waitakere Sports Association. From 2017, he became the head coach at Takapuna Grammar School Rowing Club. In March 2020, the club made him a lifetime member. The New Zealand Rowing Foundation also gave Eric a special legacy medal in 2020. This was to thank him for all his contributions to rowing in New Zealand.
Personal Life and Passing
Eric Verdonk was born in Taihape, New Zealand. His parents were from the Netherlands, and his first language was Dutch. He was married and had a son and a daughter.
Eric passed away on 3 April 2020 in Auckland. He was 60 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Eric Verdonk para niños
