Where most athletes go for their own success, Davy Heijsteeg (23) from Amstelveen goes for someone else’s success. Davy is the guide of the almost blind para-triathlete Sander Koomen (43) and together they hope to qualify for the triathlon at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
Sander has only eight percent vision due to Usher syndrome. In daily life, a lot is possible on his own, but during a triathlon – swimming, running and cycling – he cannot do without a guide.
Davy has fulfilled that role for two years now, after years of competing at a high level in triathlons. Davy was even Dutch champion and Talent of the Year in Amstelveen. A fall while playing sports eventually set him on a different track.
‘Do something different?’
“Three years ago I broke my forearm while snowboarding and it took a year and a half before I was allowed to peak again,” says Davy. “Then I started to ask myself: maybe I want to do something else? And then the national coach called and asked if I guide wanted to be.”
“If I guide Sander safely, well and quickly to the finish, I get a kick out of it”
It marked the start of a great collaboration with 43-year-old paratriathlete Sander Koomen from Zaandam. On his bike, running and in the water, Davy now forms a tandem with Sander and placement for the Summer Paralympics is the sacred mission.
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And that goal is increasingly in sight. “When we started, we were number 49 in the world ranking, but we have already risen to place 25,” said the Amstelvener. “But there is still a way to go because in the end we have to manifest ourselves in the top 6.”
Ideal line
When running and swimming, it is Sander who sets the pace. It’s up to Davy to maintain the ideal line and to give Sander directions. For example, Heijsteeg has to give Sander the signal in time to turn around while swimming.
“I am very happy with Davy”, Sander said. “Without him I won’t get any further, literally and figuratively.” Davy in turn enjoys the collaboration. “I wanted to go more in the direction of training and coaching and this collaboration also gives me a boost,” says Davy. “The moment I pilot Sander safely, well and quickly to the finish, I get a kick out of it.”