Fons Brijdenbach
Encyclopedia
Alfons Brijdenbach (12 October 1954 – 8 May 2009) was a Belgian sprinter who specialized in the 400 metres
. He is a former world indoor record holder.
. In 1973 he won the gold medal at the European Junior Championships. With the time of 45.86 seconds he smashed the previous championship record. The championship record stood until 1979, when Hartmut Weber
broke it. Also in 1973, he took his first Belgian title in the 400 metres. He would defend 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1981, but faced competition from Mario De Marchi, Christian Allemeersch and Eddy De Leeuw. Brijdenbach also won the Belgian 100 metres
title in 1975 and the 200 metres
title in 1974 and 1975.
In 1974 Brijdenbach won the gold medal at the European Indoor Championships
, ahead of Andreas Scheibe and Günter Arnold. In the same year he set a new world indoor record with 45.9 seconds. At the 1975 European Indoor Championships
he only reached the semi-final, but at the 1977 European Indoor Championships
, he won another gold medal.
In 1976, still only 21 years old, Brijdenbach competed at the 1976 Summer Olympics
in Montreal. After running in 45.28 seconds in the semi-final, he improved to 45.04 seconds in the final race. He finished fourth, but the time was a lifetime best result. It was a Belgian record, and stood until 2003 when Cédric Van Branteghem
broke it. He came close to improving the result at the 1980 Summer Olympics
, where he finished fifth in the final
with 45.10 seconds. He also competed in the 4 x 400 metre relay
, but the team failed to finish. The next year he contributed to a Belgian record in this event—3:03.68 minutes, which stood until 2008. Brijdenbach also won the gold medal at the 1977 Summer Universiade
. His new championship record of 45.18 seconds stood for two years.
Brijdenbach had 10.46 seconds in the 100 metres and 20.68 seconds in the 200 metres, both achieved in 1975.
, and worked as a teacher. He was married, had three children and resided in Wechelderzande
. He died of bladder cancer
in May 2009.
400 metres
The 400 metres, or 400 metre dash, is a common sprinting event in track and field competitions. It has been featured in the athletics programme at the Summer Olympics since 1896 . On a standard outdoor running track, it is exactly one lap around the track. Runners start in staggered positions and...
. He is a former world indoor record holder.
Career
He was born in 1954 in VorselaarVorselaar
Vorselaar is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises only the town of Vorselaar proper. On January 1, 2006 Vorselaar had a total population of 7,359. The total area is 27.62 km² which gives a population density of 266 inhabitants per km².-Famous...
. In 1973 he won the gold medal at the European Junior Championships. With the time of 45.86 seconds he smashed the previous championship record. The championship record stood until 1979, when Hartmut Weber
Hartmut Weber
Hartmut Weber is a retired West German sprinter who specialized in the 400 metres.At the 1982 European Championships he won the gold medal with a lifetime best of 44.72 seconds. He also helped win the 4 x 400 metres relay with teammates Erwin Skamrahl, Harald Schmid and Thomas Giessing...
broke it. Also in 1973, he took his first Belgian title in the 400 metres. He would defend 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1981, but faced competition from Mario De Marchi, Christian Allemeersch and Eddy De Leeuw. Brijdenbach also won the Belgian 100 metres
100 metres
The 100 metres, or 100-metre dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, it is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896...
title in 1975 and the 200 metres
200 metres
A 200 metres race is a sprint running event. On an outdoor 400 m track, the race begins on the curve and ends on the home straight, so a combination of techniques are needed to successfully run the race. A slightly shorter race, called the stadion and run on a straight track, was the first...
title in 1974 and 1975.
In 1974 Brijdenbach won the gold medal at the European Indoor Championships
1974 European Indoor Championships in Athletics
The 5th European Athletics Indoor Championships were held in 1974 in Gothenburg, Sweden.-Track:-Field:-Medal table:-References:* at GBR Athletics* at GBR Athletics* at Die Leichtatletik-Statistik-Seite...
, ahead of Andreas Scheibe and Günter Arnold. In the same year he set a new world indoor record with 45.9 seconds. At the 1975 European Indoor Championships
1975 European Indoor Championships in Athletics
The 6th European Athletics Indoor Championships were held in 1975 in Katowice, a large city in Poland.-Track:-Field:-Track:-Field:-Medal table:-External links:* at GBRathletics.com* at GBRathletics.com*...
he only reached the semi-final, but at the 1977 European Indoor Championships
1977 European Indoor Championships in Athletics
The 8th European Athletics Indoor Championships were held in San Sebastián, a city in Spain, in 1977.-Track:-Field:-Medal table:-External links:* at GBRathletics.com* at GBRathletics.com*...
, he won another gold medal.
In 1976, still only 21 years old, Brijdenbach competed at the 1976 Summer Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
in Montreal. After running in 45.28 seconds in the semi-final, he improved to 45.04 seconds in the final race. He finished fourth, but the time was a lifetime best result. It was a Belgian record, and stood until 2003 when Cédric Van Branteghem
Cédric Van Branteghem
Cédric Marie Carlos Thérèse Van Branteghem is a Belgian sprinter, who specializes in the 400 metres.-Achievements:-Personal bests:*100 metres - 10.54 s *200 metres - 20.60 s *400 metres - 45.02 s...
broke it. He came close to improving the result at the 1980 Summer Olympics
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
, where he finished fifth in the final
Athletics at the 1980 Summer Olympics - Men's 400 metres
These are the official results of the Men's 400 metres event at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. The competition was held from July 27, 1980 and on July 30, 1980.-Final:...
with 45.10 seconds. He also competed in the 4 x 400 metre relay
Athletics at the 1980 Summer Olympics - Men's 4 x 400 metre relay
These are the official results of the Men's 4 x 400 metre relay event at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, USSR. There were a total number of 24 nations competing...
, but the team failed to finish. The next year he contributed to a Belgian record in this event—3:03.68 minutes, which stood until 2008. Brijdenbach also won the gold medal at the 1977 Summer Universiade
1977 Summer Universiade
The 1977 Summer Universiade, also known as the IX Summer Universiade, took place in Sofia, Bulgaria.-Medal table:...
. His new championship record of 45.18 seconds stood for two years.
Brijdenbach had 10.46 seconds in the 100 metres and 20.68 seconds in the 200 metres, both achieved in 1975.
Personal life and death
Brijdenbach held a Master's Degree in physical education from the Katholieke Universiteit LeuvenKatholieke Universiteit Leuven
The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven is a Dutch-speaking university in Flanders, Belgium.It is located at the centre of the historic town of Leuven, and is a prominent part of the city, home to the university since 1425...
, and worked as a teacher. He was married, had three children and resided in Wechelderzande
Wechelderzande
Wechelderzande is a small village in the Kempen in the province of Antwerp.Since 1977 it is a part of a larger community: Lille, BelgiumThe centre of the village has a renowned building called Den Hert. At the end of 19th century beginning of the 20th century it was a favourite site for several...
. He died of bladder cancer
Bladder cancer
Bladder cancer is any of several types of malignant growths of the urinary bladder. It is a disease in which abnormal cells multiply without control in the bladder. The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ that stores urine; it is located in the pelvis...
in May 2009.