Wout Zijlstra
Encyclopedia
Wout Zijlstra (born August 4, 1964, Wolsum
) is a former strongman
and Highland Games
athlete from the Netherlands
. He competed in the World's Strongest Man
competition on two occasions.
, Friesland
. He managed his first podium finish at the Strongest man of the Netherlands
in 1991 where he finished second after Ted van der Parre
. It took him till 1994 to reach the podium again. This time he finished third after Ted van der Parre and Berend Veneberg
. After this he finished several more times on the podium but it would take him till 2001 to finally win the tournament. After this victory he would not compete again and started focusing on Highland Games. He was invited twice to compete in the World's Strongest Man
on both occasions he reached the final. In 1998 he competed together with his rival from the Netherlands Berend Veneberg and would finish third in the final. In 2001 he finished eight in the World's Strongest Man competition. Zijlstra competed together with Berend Veneberg on several occasions in the World's Strongest Team competition and won the tournament in 1998. After this they reached the podium several more times but did not win again. He finished the Elfstedentocht
twice. Wout won the NK Highland Games
in 2003 and 2004 and held the world record for the 56 lb. weight for height. Zijlstra works as an inspector of meat and does security jobs. He is married and has 3 children.
Wolsum
Wolsum is a small village in Wymbritseradiel in the province Friesland of the Netherlands and has around 145 citizens ....
) is a former strongman
Strongman (strength athlete)
In the 19th century, the term strongman referred to an exhibitor of strength or circus performers of similar ilk who displayed feats of strength such as the bent press , supporting large amounts of...
and Highland Games
Highland games
Highland games are events held throughout the &Highland games are events held throughout the &Highland games are events held throughout the &(-è_çà in Scotland and other countries as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Certain...
athlete from the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. He competed in the World's Strongest Man
World's Strongest Man
The World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman. Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year...
competition on two occasions.
Biography
Zijlstra was born in WolsumWolsum
Wolsum is a small village in Wymbritseradiel in the province Friesland of the Netherlands and has around 145 citizens ....
, Friesland
Friesland
Friesland is a province in the north of the Netherlands and part of the ancient region of Frisia.Until the end of 1996, the province bore Friesland as its official name. In 1997 this Dutch name lost its official status to the Frisian Fryslân...
. He managed his first podium finish at the Strongest man of the Netherlands
Holland's Strongest Man
Holland's Strongest Man is an annual strongman competition held in the Netherlands and featuring exclusively Dutch athletes. The contest was established in 1979, although there have been several years that the event was not held. Berend Veneberg holds the record for most wins with 7, and Jarno...
in 1991 where he finished second after Ted van der Parre
Ted van der Parre
Ted van der Parre is a former strongman from the Netherlands who won the World's Strongest Man contest in 1992 and was 4th in 1991. He also participated in 1994 when he finished 8th, having to drop out after the second event due to a calf injury...
. It took him till 1994 to reach the podium again. This time he finished third after Ted van der Parre and Berend Veneberg
Berend Veneberg
Berend Veneberg is a former strongman from the Netherlands. He finished 5th at the World's Strongest Man games in 1993, 9th in 1998, 6th in 1999, 1st at Europe's Strongest Man in 2000 and won Holland's Strongest Man 7 times.- Biography :Veneberg was born in Den Ham, Overijssel...
. After this he finished several more times on the podium but it would take him till 2001 to finally win the tournament. After this victory he would not compete again and started focusing on Highland Games. He was invited twice to compete in the World's Strongest Man
World's Strongest Man
The World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman. Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year...
on both occasions he reached the final. In 1998 he competed together with his rival from the Netherlands Berend Veneberg and would finish third in the final. In 2001 he finished eight in the World's Strongest Man competition. Zijlstra competed together with Berend Veneberg on several occasions in the World's Strongest Team competition and won the tournament in 1998. After this they reached the podium several more times but did not win again. He finished the Elfstedentocht
Elfstedentocht
The Elfstedentocht is the world's largest and longest speed skating competition and leisure skating tour, and is held irregularly in the province of Friesland, Netherlands.The tour, almost 200 km in length, is conducted on frozen canals, rivers and lakes between the eleven historic...
twice. Wout won the NK Highland Games
Highland games
Highland games are events held throughout the &Highland games are events held throughout the &Highland games are events held throughout the &(-è_çà in Scotland and other countries as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Certain...
in 2003 and 2004 and held the world record for the 56 lb. weight for height. Zijlstra works as an inspector of meat and does security jobs. He is married and has 3 children.
Honours
- 3rd place World's Strongest Man1998 World's Strongest ManThe 1998 World's Strongest Man was the 21st edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Magnus Samuelsson from Sweden. It was his first title after finishing third the previous year. 1997 champion Jouko Ahola from Finland finished second, and Wout Zijlstra from the Netherlands finished third....
(1998) - 1st place World's Strongest Team (1998) w/Berend VenebergBerend VenebergBerend Veneberg is a former strongman from the Netherlands. He finished 5th at the World's Strongest Man games in 1993, 9th in 1998, 6th in 1999, 1st at Europe's Strongest Man in 2000 and won Holland's Strongest Man 7 times.- Biography :Veneberg was born in Den Ham, Overijssel...
- 1st place Holland's Strongest ManHolland's Strongest ManHolland's Strongest Man is an annual strongman competition held in the Netherlands and featuring exclusively Dutch athletes. The contest was established in 1979, although there have been several years that the event was not held. Berend Veneberg holds the record for most wins with 7, and Jarno...
(2001) - 8th place World's Strongest Man2001 World's Strongest ManThe 2001 World's Strongest Man was the 24th edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Svend Karlsen from Norway. It was his first title after finishing second the previous year. 1998 winner Magnus Samuelsson from Sweden finished second after finishing third the previous year, and 2000 winner...
(2001) - 1st place NK Highland Games (2003)
- 1st place NK Highland Games (2004)