Maassluis celebrates local sports heroes: From Yankees pitcher to inspiring judoka and viral equestrian
Six outstanding athletes, teams, and initiatives in Maassluis have been honored for their achievements and contributions to sports. From a baseball prodigy signing with the New York Yankees to a judoka climbing world rankings, these winners inspire residents to embrace an active lifestyle.
| Category | Winner | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Male Athlete (18+) | Tijn Fredrikze | Signed professional contract with New York Yankees; most strikeouts in Dutch top division (2025) |
| Female Athlete (18+) | Margit de Voogd | 3rd place at Grand Slams (Paris, Abu Dhabi); Dutch national judo champion; 12th in world rankings |
| Sports Talent (Under 18) | Tessa Ottenhof | 1st place in show jumping (Indoor Oosteind); 4th in dressage (Kring Championships); viral social media presence |
| Sports Team | Korfball team 1 of c.k.c. Maassluis | Champions in transitional league; promoted to top division (two levels below Korfball League) |
| Sports Trainer/Coach | Micha van Leeuwen | Inspires tennis players with focus on self-confidence, discipline, and team cohesion |
| Sports Initiative | Scouting Karel Doormangroep | Organizes free 'Kids aan de Vlieten' event for primary school children |
The Municipality of Maassluis organizes the annual Sports Elections to recognize and promote local sports talent, initiatives, and contributions. By celebrating these achievements, the municipality aims to foster community engagement and encourage residents to participate in sports.
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The six winners of the Maassluis Sports Elections
The winners of the 2025 Maassluis Sports Elections have been announced. Sports alderwoman Denise Mulder-Solleveld surprised them in their own sporting environments over the past few weeks.
The municipality congratulates all the winners and thanks athletes, volunteers, and associations for their dedication and commitment. Together, they make sport in Maassluis more visible and ensure that many residents of Maassluis take up sports.
"It’s wonderful to see firsthand how much involvement and pride there is within our sports associations," says the sports alderwoman. "The stories behind these athletes and initiatives are all inspiring. During the meetings with the winners, you truly see the dedication, perseverance, and love for sport that drive their achievements. It was also incredibly fun to surprise them at the places where they train several times a week. That’s where their passion really comes to life."
The sports titles were awarded to:
Baseball player Tijn Fredrikze - category male athlete (18+)
At just 18 years old, this Dutch athlete made history by signing a professional contract with the New York Yankees at the end of 2025. This achievement is even more remarkable because it has been 36 years since a Dutch player last secured such a contract. His journey—from HSV Gophers Maassluis to Unicorns Academy and then to the top division with Neptunus Rotterdam—demonstrates his immense talent. In 2025, as a left-handed pitcher for Kinheim in Haarlem, he recorded the most strikeouts in the top division and stood out within the Talent Team NL. These accomplishments caught the attention of American scouts, leading to his recruitment.
Judo athlete Margit de Voogd - category female athlete (18+)
In 2025, she secured third-place finishes at the prestigious Grand Slams in Paris and Abu Dhabi and became the Dutch national champion. These performances propelled her to 12th place in the world rankings. Beyond her competitive success, she is deeply committed to youth development as a trainer and coach at Mahorokan, serving as an inspiring role model for young judoka.
Equestrian Tessa Ottenhof - category sports talent (under 18)
This determined athlete has one clear goal: to break through internationally. In 2025, she balanced work, education, and top-level sport, achieving strong results, including a fourth-place finish at the Kring Championships Dressage (class L1) and a third-place finish at the Vonk Event (Eventing class B). In show jumping, she claimed first place at Indoor Oosteind and third place at Indoor Beukers. Her discipline, ambition, and deep respect for her horse, Cerrito, make her an exceptional talent. With thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram, she offers an inspiring glimpse into the life of a young top athlete and motivates many young riders and equestrians to pursue their dreams.
Korfball team 1 of c.k.c. Maassluis - category sports team
This team became champions in the transitional league and earned promotion to the top division for the first time, just two levels below the Korfball League, the top tier of korfball. The championship was celebrated throughout the association and felt like a collective milestone. With an average age of 22, the team not only excels on the field but also actively contributes to c.k.c. Maassluis. Players coach youth teams and participate in events such as the Sports and Play Day and the school korfball tournament. The team serves as a visible and inspiring example for young korfball players in Maassluis.
Tennis coach Micha van Leeuwen - category sports trainer/coach
Under his guidance, players develop greater self-confidence, discipline, and game insight, as he focuses not only on winning but also on enjoyment and personal growth. He excels in fostering a cohesive and well-functioning team, where athletes grow both individually and as a group. Additionally, he has a significant positive impact within MTC Bequick, promoting collaboration, emphasizing sportsmanship and respect, and serving as a unifying force and ambassador for the sport.
Scouting Karel Doormangroep for 'Kids aan de Vlieten' - category sports initiative
'Kids aan de Vlieten' is an annual event held on the last Saturday of the summer holidays. The Scouting Karel Doormangroep organizes climbing and traversing activities on a survival course in and around the Vlieten waterways in the center of Maassluis. Thanks to the efforts of many volunteers, all primary school children can participate for free. This allows them to push their boundaries in a playful way while giving the association unique visibility, which helps attract new members.
Maassluis Sports Elections
The Maassluis Sports Elections celebrate athletes, teams, and associations that have achieved success at the local, regional, or (inter)national level or have made a significant contribution to sport in another meaningful way. Residents of Maassluis could nominate their sports heroes between December 2025 and the end of February 2026. A jury reviewed these submissions and selected the winners.
The video reports of the award ceremonies can be viewed on the Instagram account of Maassluis Actief.