Known as "the Flying Dutchman", Epke risked everything for the pursuit of gold at the 2012 London Olympic games. The CNN article (The most incredible sporting gamble?) states that "Zonderland had become renowned as the only gymnast to regularly perform two of the difficult moves in succession, but to perform three had many shaking their head." The risk would be way too big for many, but not for Zonderland. He knew that winning the gold would require an extraordinary feat.
Below is a YouTube video that shares video footage of what is frequently described as one of the top performances in the 2012 Olympic games. Many of us have never seen this before.
By the way, you may be asking what's next for this Flying Dutchman now that he has set a new standard in the gymnastic high bar competition? Are you ready? He is training for the 2016 Olympic games to be held in Rio, while he is also studying to become an orthopedic doctor. Will we see the Flying Dutchman attempt four difficult moves in succession? I think that is certainly a very safe bet!
Epke Zonderland:
"I was really focused and not thinking about the past or the future but just of the moment."