Herman Veenstra facts for kids
Personal information | |
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Born | Poerworedjo, Dutch East Indies |
11 October 1911
Died | 23 April 2004 Diemen, Netherlands |
(aged 92)
Sport | |
Country | ![]() |
Sport | Water polo |
Herman Alex Veenstra was a talented water polo player from the Netherlands. He was born on October 11, 1911, in a place called Poerworedjo, which was then part of the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). He later passed away on April 23, 2004, in Diemen, Netherlands. Herman is best known for representing his country in the 1936 Summer Olympics as a goalkeeper for the Dutch water polo team.
Herman Veenstra: An Olympic Water Polo Player
Herman Alex Veenstra was a Dutch athlete who loved the sport of water polo. Water polo is a team sport played in water, where two teams try to score goals by throwing a ball into the opponent's net. It's a bit like soccer or handball, but played in a swimming pool! Herman was a very important player for his team because he was a goalkeeper. A goalkeeper's job is to protect the goal and stop the other team from scoring.
Playing for the Netherlands
Herman Veenstra was chosen to play for the Netherlands national water polo team. This is a big honor for any athlete, as it means you are one of the best players in your country. He trained hard and worked with his teammates to prepare for major competitions.
The 1936 Summer Olympics
One of the most exciting parts of Herman Veenstra's career was when he competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics. These Olympic Games were held in Berlin, Germany. Athletes from all over the world came together to compete in many different sports.
The Dutch water polo team, with Herman as their goalkeeper, played very well in the 1936 tournament. They showed great teamwork and skill. Herman played in five matches during the competition, doing his best to block shots and keep the opponents from scoring. His efforts helped the Dutch team achieve a good result. They finished in fifth place overall, which was a strong performance against other top teams from around the world.
Herman Veenstra's dedication to water polo and his participation in the Olympics made him a notable figure in Dutch sports history.