Joop Stokkel
Encyclopedia
Joop Stokkel is a Dutch
Paralympian
and one of the leading equestrians
with a physical challenge, in the world. Stokkel suffered an accident at the age of seven causing him to lose his entire right arm and left leg. Despite the injury, he went on to start riding at the age of 15. Primarily a demonstration sport in Holland prior to 1990, he participated in the first international competition in 1991, placing seventh. Stokkel earned the title of overall champion at the 1998 World Riding for Disabled Championships at Hartpury, England.
Stokkel began his athletic career as a swimmer, having first represented Holland at the 1988 Seoul Paralympics
, winning two golds and a silver. He later won four Dutch National Championships as well as three golds and two silvers at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics
. He received Dutch Knight
hood the same year.
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...
Paralympian
Paralympian
A Paralympian is an athlete who has participated in the Paralympic Games.A Paralympic athlete has a physical disability. The disability can be amputation, spinal cord injuries, visual impairment or cerebral palsy. An exception is the sighted guides for athletes with a visual impairment...
and one of the leading equestrians
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
with a physical challenge, in the world. Stokkel suffered an accident at the age of seven causing him to lose his entire right arm and left leg. Despite the injury, he went on to start riding at the age of 15. Primarily a demonstration sport in Holland prior to 1990, he participated in the first international competition in 1991, placing seventh. Stokkel earned the title of overall champion at the 1998 World Riding for Disabled Championships at Hartpury, England.
Stokkel began his athletic career as a swimmer, having first represented Holland at the 1988 Seoul Paralympics
Paralympic Games
The Paralympic Games are a major international multi-sport event where athletes with a physical disability compete; this includes athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and Cerebral Palsy. There are Winter and Summer Paralympic Games, which are held immediately following their...
, winning two golds and a silver. He later won four Dutch National Championships as well as three golds and two silvers at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics
Paralympic Games
The Paralympic Games are a major international multi-sport event where athletes with a physical disability compete; this includes athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and Cerebral Palsy. There are Winter and Summer Paralympic Games, which are held immediately following their...
. He received Dutch Knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
hood the same year.