Heroes Magazine 69

In Helden Magazine, top athletes tell their inspiring stories, share their secrets and you get to know the person behind the top athlete. The last edition of 2023 is traditionally all about looking back on the past sporting year. Femke Bol graces the cover of the double-thick end-of-year issue. The athlete looks back in detail on the year in which everything she touched seemed to turn into gold.

Helden visited Nathan Aké in England, who won the national title, FA Cup and Champions League with Manchester City. He was interviewed and photographed together with his wife Kaylee, with whom he has been together since he was fifteen. The visit to the Schippers family was also special. Dafne said goodbye to athletics and together with her parents, sister and brother she looked back on her impressive career.

Also in this edition:

• Femke Kok was the first Dutch skater to win the world title in the 500 meters. A conversation about her way to the top.
• 2023 was an emotional year for Wout Poels in several ways. The Bahrain Victorious rider won a stage in the Tour and in the Vuelta this year. On the other hand, there was the death of teammate Gino Mäder
• Lutsharel Geertruida played an important role in Feyenoord's national title. The international talks about growing up in South Rotterdam, rapping, stuttering and his ambitions.
• Sisters, water polo players and becoming world champions together. The gold medal for Bente & Lieke Rogge did not just arrive.
• Joey Veerman is an outspoken footballer. A conversation with the new father and colorful Volendammer from PSV.
• A conversation with Karolien & Finn Florijn about their shared passion and rowing genes. They both won gold at the World Championships.
• Jeffrey Hoogland is the 'boss' on the kilometer. He then won his fourth world title and improved the world record. But the track sprinter and mileage eater also had motivation problems.
• Victoria Koblenko visited sailor Marit Bouwmeester . She is back on top after giving birth to a daughter in 2022.
• Peter Heerschop honors: Mathieu van der Poel , Annemiek van Vleuten & Sifan Hassan .

Read all interviews, reports and much more in the double-thick end-of-year issue of Helden.