Hendrik Willem Hermsen (born August 29, 1937 in Hilversum

Hilversum

is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Located in the region called "'t Gooi", it is the largest town in that area. It is surrounded by heathland, woods, meadows, lakes, and smaller villages...

) is a former water polo

Water polo

Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...

 player from The Netherlands, who competed in two Summer Olympics for his native country. In 1960

1960 Summer Olympics

The 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held from August 25 to September 11, 1960 in Rome, Italy...

 he finished in eighth position with the Dutch Men's Team. Four years later in Tokyo

1964 Summer Olympics

The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...

 he once again came in eighth with the Holland squad. Two of his brothers, André and Wim

Wim Hermsen

Willem Hermsen is a former water polo player from The Netherlands, who finished in seventh position with the Dutch Men's Water Polo Team at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich...

, also played water polo for the national team.