Cees de Vreugd
Encyclopedia
Cees de Vreugd, also known as "Kees de Vreugd" (March 9, 1952 - October 7, 1998) was a butcher, strongman
Strongman (strength athlete)
In the 19th century, the term strongman referred to an exhibitor of strength or circus performers of similar ilk who displayed feats of strength such as the bent press , supporting large amounts of...

 and powerlifter
Powerlifting
Powerlifting is a strength sport. It resembles the sport of Olympic weightlifting, as both disciplines involve lifting weights in three attempts. Powerlifting evolved from a sport known as 'odd lifts' which followed the same three attempt format but used a wide variety of events akin to Strongman...

 from Katwijk
Katwijk
Katwijk is a coastal municipality and town in the province of South Holland in the western Netherlands. It has a population of 61,292.-Location:...

, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...

. He finished 3rd at the World's Strongest Man
World's Strongest Man
The World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman. Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year...

 games in 1985.

After competing in soccer in his youth, De Vreugd started weightlifting very late, in 1981 at age 29. In 1982 he began competing as a powerlifter, and won the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...

 National Championships in 1983. De Vreugd won the IPF World Powerlifting Championships
Powerlifting
Powerlifting is a strength sport. It resembles the sport of Olympic weightlifting, as both disciplines involve lifting weights in three attempts. Powerlifting evolved from a sport known as 'odd lifts' which followed the same three attempt format but used a wide variety of events akin to Strongman...

 in the +125kg class in 1985. De Vreugd was the first European to total 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg) in powerlifting in 1985, including a 927 lbs (420 kg) squat
Squat (exercise)
In strength training, the squat is a compound, full body exercise that trains primarily the muscles of the thighs, hips and buttocks, quads , hamstrings, as well as strengthening the bones, ligaments and insertion of the tendons throughout the lower body...

. Later that year he made a total of 1002,5 kg, which still stands as a Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...

 record (record is not broken in 25 years including the 420 kg squat earlier in 1985).
De Vreugd competed at 6"1" (185 cm) and approximately 311 lbs (142 kg) during his strongman career.

Death

In 1998 De Vreugd died of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...

. De Vreugd is buried at a cemetery named Duinrust, located in Katwijk aan Zee
Katwijk aan Zee
Katwijk aan Zee is a seaside resort located on the North Sea at the mouth of the Oude Rijn. It is situated in the municipality of Katwijk and the province of South Holland.- History :...

.

Honours

  • 2nd place Holland's Strongest Man
    Holland's Strongest Man
    Holland's Strongest Man is an annual strongman competition held in the Netherlands and featuring exclusively Dutch athletes. The contest was established in 1979, although there have been several years that the event was not held. Berend Veneberg holds the record for most wins with 7, and Jarno...

     (1984)
  • 3rd place World's Strongest Man
    1985 World's Strongest Man
    The 1985 World's Strongest Man was the 9th edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Geoff Capes from the United Kingdom. It was his second title after finishing third the previous year. 1984 champion Jon Pall Sigmarsson from Iceland finished second and Cees de Vreugd from the Netherlands...

    (1985)
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