Jan Smeekens

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJohannes Godefridus "Jan"•Smeekens
Used nameJan•Smeekens
Born13 July 1920 in Ginneken en Bavel, Noord-Brabant (NED)
Died23 June 1980 in Breda, Noord-Brabant (NED)
Measurements74, 75 kg
NOC Netherlands

Biography

Jan Smeekens started out as a football player and sprinter, winning a regional title in the 60 m. At 17, he started competing in weightlifting, and would not quit until he was 42. He won a total of 20 Dutch titles between 1942 and 1962, and participated in two Olympics. His best performance came in the 1951 European Championships in Milan (Italy), where he took the gold medal. His title is the still the last one won by a Dutch lifter.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1948 Summer Olympics Weightlifting NED Jan Smeekens
Middleweight, Men (Olympic) 12
1952 Summer Olympics Weightlifting NED Jan Smeekens
Middleweight, Men (Olympic) 12