Marcel Wouda

Marcel Reinier Wouda (born 23 January 1972 in Tilburg, Noord-Brabant) is a former Dutch swimmer, who became Holland's first world champion when he won the world title in the 200 m individual medley at the FINA 1998 World Aquatics Championships in Perth, Australia. He is currently the coach of Olympic Champions Maarten van der Weijden and Hinkelien Schreuder at the Nationaal Zweminstituut Eindhoven.

Swimming career

Wouda grew up in Uden, where he joined the 'De Zeester' swimming club at a very young age. His trainers were Martien Swinkels and Rob Kennis, who brought him to the top of Dutch swimming. Wouda made his Olympic debut at the 1992 Summer Olympics, where he was the sole male in the Dutch squad of eight females ending 22nd in the 200 m individual medley and 19th in the 400 m individual medley.

Move to the United States

Afterwards he moved to the United States, where he joined University of Michigan in Ann Arbor under the guidance of trainer-coach Jon Urbanchek, alongside swimmers like Eric Namesnik, Gustavo Borges and Tom Dolan. At the European LC Championships 1993 in Sheffield he won the bronze medal in the 400 m individual medley.

Back to Brabant

Two years after he left Wouda moved back to the Netherlands, where trainer-coach Jacco Verhaeren brought him back to the top. Wouda got his second Olympic selection when he qualified for the 1996 Summer Olympics. There he reached a 4th place in the 200 m individual medley...
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