Hans Houtzager

For almost twenty years Hans Houtzager dominated the hammer throw in the Netherlands, winning thirteen national titles and setting two Dutch records. Houtzager became the Dutch champion for the first time in 1935, retaining his title the following year to earn a place on the Olympic team. His performance at the 1936 Berlin Games was disappointing, however, with him failing to progress from the qualifying round. Despite this he continued to have great success back home, winning a further seven national titles over the next ten years (1938–40, 1942, 1946–48).

With international competitions slowly returning following the end of the war, Houtzager competed at the 1946 European Championships where he finished fifth. Two years later he returned to the Olympics, placing 12th at the 1948 London Games. Although international success eluded him, Houtzager was still the man to beat at home, winning a further four consecutive hammer throw titles from 1949 to 1952. His son Hans Houtzager Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming the Dutch hammer champion in 1969.

Personal Best: HT – 55.51 (1939).