Judith de Nijs

Judith de Nijs (sometimes spelled de Nys; born 22 April 1942) is a Dutch swimmer. After setting a European record in the 400 m medley event in 1961 she shifted to marathon swimming and was ranked world No. 1 in 1964–1968 and 1970. For her achievements she was inducted to the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.

Judith de Nijs was born in Hilversum. Together with her elder sisterLenie she trained under the famous Dutch coach Jan Stender, and both became record-breaking swimmers. Judith first specialized in the 400 m medley and set a European record in this event in 1961. She then shifted to longer distances and become the national champion in the 1500 m freestyle in 1962.

Since about 1962 she started competing in marathon swimming. This way, she became a professional swimmer and earned prize money for the races she won. From 1964, when the point system was introduced to marathon swimming, to 1968, as well as in 1970, she was ranked world No. 1. In 1969, she became the second Dutch woman (after Mary Kok) to swim across the English Channel.

On 17 January 1968 de Nijs married the water polo player Bob van Berkel and changed her name to Judith van Berkel-de Nijs. They have a daughter and a son, water polo player Robert van Berkel. She remained competitive swimmer through the 1980s–2000s, winning national titles in senior categories in 1988–2001, 2005, 2007 and 2009 (3–4 km freestyle).

Note, that in the 1960s, women and men competed together in marathon races.

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