Querijn Hensen

Querijn Hensen
Personal information
Home townAmersfoort, Netherlands
Sport
Country Netherlands
SportPara swimming
DisabilityJuvenile idiopathic arthritis
S10, SB9, SM10
Strokes

Querijn Hensen is a Dutch para swimmer. He competes in backstroke and freestyle events in the S10, SB9, SM10 classification events. He represented the Netherlands at the 2020 Summer Paralympics and has competed at the World Para Swimming Championships.

Early and personal life

Querijn Hensen is from Amersfoort in the Netherlands. As a child, he was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis after experiencing persistent pain and swelling in his knee. He was treated by Nico Wulffraat at the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital. As a child, he played football, but his condition eventually prevented him from continuing to participate in active sport. He subsequently took up swimming to reduce pain and improve mobility, and later developed a competitive para swimming career.[1]

Hensen has spoken publicly about the challenges of training to be an elite swimmer with the limitations imposed by the medical condition. He has said that the condition has sometimes led him to perform below the optimal level.[1] Outside sport, Hensen works as a human resources manager.[2] Hensen identifies as LGBTQ.[3]

Career

Hensen competes in backstroke and freestyle events in the S10, SB9, SM10 classification events.[4] In accordance with the qualification criteria established by the International Paralympic Committee and the NOC*NSF, Hansen competed at qualifying events held in Rotterdam and Eindhoven, in a bid to qualify for the 2020 Summer Paralympics.[1][5]

In 2021, Hensen was selected to represent the Netherlands at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo.[6] At the 2020 Summer Paralympics, Hensen competed in three events–men's 50 metre freestyle S10, men's 100 metre backstroke S10, and men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay 34 points.[4] In the 50 metre freestyle S10 event held on 25 August 2021, he finished fifth and last in his qualifying heat with a time of 25.58 seconds, and failed to advance to the final.[7] In the men's 100 metre backstroke S10 event held on 2 September 2021, he advanced to the final after placing second in his heat with a time of 1:01.87. He finished sixth in the final with a time of 1:02.19.[8] In the men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay 34 points, he was part of the Netherlands team that finished fifth in the final.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "De paralympische droom van Querijn Hensen" [The Paralympic Dream of Querijn Hensen]. ReumaZorg Nederland (in Dutch). 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  2. ↑ "Nieuw vertrouwenscontactpersoon Querijn Hensen stelt zich voor" [Querijn Hensen introduces himself]. LTV Randenbroek (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  3. ↑ "At least 36 out LGBTQ Paralympians are competing in Tokyo, by far a record". Outsports. 16 August 2021. Archived from the original on 10 September 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Querijn Hensen". International Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original on 16 December 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  5. ↑ "Dokter raadt het wegens reuma af, maar tóch pakt Querijn Hensen een ticket voor de Paralympische Spelen" [Doctor advises against it because of rheumatism, but Querijn Hensen still secures a ticket to the Paralympic Games]. Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 14 December 2020. Archived from the original on 5 January 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  6. ↑ "Paralympic team NL Tokio" [Netherlands Paralympic team for Tokyo]. Team NL (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  7. ↑ "Swimming at the 2020 Summer Paralympics – Men's 50 metre freestyle S10". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  8. ↑ "Swimming at the 2020 Summer Paralympics – Men's 100 metre backstroke S10". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "Swimming at the 2020 Summer Paralympics – Men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay 34 points". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 24 June 2026.