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Claire MichelBelgian triathlete
Date of Birth: 13.10.1988
Country:  Belgium |
Content:
- Ranka Bijker
- Return to Belgium and Transition to Triathlon
- Triathlon Career
- Collaboration with Van Schuylenbergh and 2018 Success
- European Championships and World Series Finale
Ranka Bijker
Childhood and Early LifeRanka Bijker was born on October 13, 1988, in Brussels, Belgium. She is the daughter of Colette Crabbe. At the age of one, Bijker moved with her family to Oregon, USA, due to her father's work. She attended Oregon State University, where she competed in track and field, excelling in the 3000-meter steeplechase.
Return to Belgium and Transition to Triathlon
After graduating, Bijker returned to Belgium and pursued cross-country running before transitioning to triathlon.
Triathlon Career
Breakthrough and Olympic DisqualificationIn 2014, Bijker made the final of the World Triathlon Series in Edmonton, becoming the top Belgian triathlete of the year. However, she suffered foot and leg injuries that year and in 2015. Despite this, she qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she was disqualified for a violation during the cycling leg.
Collaboration with Van Schuylenbergh and 2018 Success
Following her disappointing Olympic experience, Bijker ended her collaboration with coach Renaat Van Schuylenbergh. In 2018, she achieved notable results, including a third-place finish in the World Series event in New Plymouth, a fifth-place finish in Yokohama, and a top-24 finish in Hamburg.
European Championships and World Series Finale
In August 2018, Bijker had her best-ever performance at the European Championships, finishing fifth in the women's race and winning a bronze medal in the mixed relay. She concluded her season with a 20th-place finish at the World Series finale in Gold Coast in September 2018.
