Sander Berk

rdf:langString Sander Berk

rdf:langString Sander Johannes Gerardes Berk (born July 10, 1979 in Nieuwveen) is a Dutch triathlete. Berk won his first run-bike-run event as a junior on March 26, 1995 in Langedijk. That same year he also became Dutch Junior Triathlon Champion in Waarland and he won triathlon races in Aalsmeer and Spijkenisse. He added another two run-bike-run wins in Molenschot and Uithoorn. In 1996 he won a race in Leiden and he defended his triathlon title in Aalsmeer. After winning a run-bike-run in Steenwijk and a triathlon in Xanten in 1997 he did not succeed in any race in 1998. In 1999, his last year as a junior he became Dutch run-bike-run champion in Venray. He also won a run-bike-run in Uithoorn and a triathlon in Enschede. His senior career started well with a triathlon win in Ouderkerk aan de Amstel as well as a run-bike-run win in Uithoorn. He defended his Uithoorn title in 2001 and also won a triathlon in Vinkeveen. His first international triathlon win as a senior came in South Africa in 2002, when he won the race in Klerksdorp. Besides becoming Dutch national champion in 2003 he also won two triathlons in Leuven and Aalsmeer. In Aalsmeer he also won an aquathlon and he won another race in Amersfoort. His biggest successes in 2004 were in Belgium where he won the team triathlon in Wachtebeke and the individual triathlon in Antoing. He also succeeded in the Aalsmeer triathlon again. After some injuries in 2005 he returned into competition in 2006 winning two duathlons in Klerksdorp and Pretoria, both in South Africa. Again he was able to win the Aalsmeer triathlon and also in that year he and his team mates won the team triathlon in Enschede. 2007 was his best year to date in his career with a total of eight triathlon wins (Potchefstroom (twice), Amsterdam, Aalsmeer, Germiston, Midmar Dam, Roodeplaat Dam and Vanderbijlpark). He also won the . With a win in Stein and some other good results in Bloemfontein and Richards Bay Berk qualified himself for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.