Winning the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle events at the 2012 London Olympics, Ranomi Kromowidjojo achieved a sprint double that mirrored the success of her compatriot Inge de Bruijn. Born in 1990 in Sauwerd, this Dutch swimmer established herself as a formidable force in international aquatic sports through consistent performance in major championships across more than a decade.
Early Career and International Debut
Kromowidjojo entered senior competition at the 2006 European Long Course Championships in Budapest, where she secured her first senior medal at age 15. The following year, she reached the World Long Course Championships in Melbourne. By late 2007, she demonstrated significant promise by achieving qualification standards for the 2008 Summer Olympics and setting a world record in the 4×100 meter freestyle short course relay.
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Her Olympic tenure commenced in Beijing in 2008, where she won gold in the 4×100 meter freestyle relay alongside Inge Dekker, Femke Heemskerk, and Marleen Veldhuis. Her performance peaked in London four years later. Beyond her gold medals in the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle, she set Olympic records in both events, recording 53.00 seconds and 24.05 seconds respectively. These efforts earned her recognition as the 2012 female European swimmer of the year.
World Championship Achievements
Kromowidjojo accumulated a significant medal tally at FINA World Championship events, totaling 45 medals throughout her career. Her individual long course world title came in 2013 at the Barcelona championships in the 50-meter freestyle. She also demonstrated versatility in short course environments, notably winning individual gold in both sprint freestyle events at the 2010 FINA World Swimming Championships while establishing a championship record.
Recognition and Honours
As a prominent figure in Dutch sports, Kromowidjojo has received several formal commendations. She was named Talent of the Year in 2008. In 2017, she was designated an honorary citizen of North-Brabant. Furthermore, her contributions to swimming were officially acknowledged when she was appointed a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Fast facts
- Born: 1990, Sauwerd, Netherlands
- Citizenship: Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Primary Sport: Swimming
- Olympic Gold Medals: 3
- Total FINA World Championship Medals: 45
- Talent of the Year: 2008
- Honorary Citizen: North-Brabant (2017)
- Order of Orange-Nassau: Knight
Questions readers ask
How many Olympic gold medals did she win in 2012?
She won two gold medals in London, specifically in the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle.
What is her highest honour?
She is a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau and an honorary citizen of North-Brabant.
Achievements
- Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau
- Competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics
