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Jaap KnolA Dutch athlete who specialized in the javelin throw
Date of Birth: 01.12.1894
Country:  Netherlands |
Content:
- Early Life and Career
- National Success
- Olympic Appearance
- Record-Breaking Achievements
- Later Life and Honors
- Death and Legacy
Early Life and Career
Jakob (Jaap) Knol was born on December 1, 1896, in the village of Eitgeest, North Holland. His father, also named Jakob, was a police officer from The Hague, and his mother, Eitje Vlietstra, came from Wonseradeel. Knol began his athletic career as a member of the Amsterdam Police Gymnastics Club.
National Success
In 1923, Knol won his first Dutch national title in javelin throw. He became a two-time champion in 1925 and went on to win three more titles in 1928, 1929, and 1930. In addition to javelin throwing, Knol also played football for the Amsterdam club AFC Ajax, where he represented both the second and first teams.
Olympic Appearance
Knol's success culminated in his participation in the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. Representing the Netherlands, he placed 25th in the javelin throw qualification with a distance of 52.68 meters.
Record-Breaking Achievements
In 1928, Knol set a new Dutch national record with a throw of 54.17 meters. His record was broken in 1932, but he regained the title a year later with a personal best of 56.88 meters.
Later Life and Honors
After his athletic career, Knol became the chairman of the football club JOS Watergraafsmeer in Amsterdam. He witnessed the early coaching career of Rinus Michels, who became the club's manager in 1960. Knol was awarded the Order of Orange-Nassau and served as honorary president of ASV JOS and honorary member of the police sports club APSG.
Death and Legacy
Jaap Knol passed away in October 1975 at the age of 78. He was cremated at Westerveld Cemetery in western Amsterdam. Knol's legacy lives on through his contributions to Dutch athletics and football, as well as his role in nurturing the early career of Rinus Michels.
