Naomi van As

Naomi van As, born on July twenty-six, nineteen eighty-three, is a distinguished Dutch field hockey player renowned for her exceptional skills as a forward and midfielder. She plays for the Dutch club MHC Laren and has made significant contributions to her national team since her debut on June twentieth, two thousand three, in a match against South Africa.

Her remarkable career includes being part of the Dutch squad that clinched the title at the 2006 Women's Hockey World Cup and the 2007 Champions Trophy. Van As achieved Olympic glory in two consecutive Games, first at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where she scored the opening goal in a two-zero victory over China, and again at the 2012 Summer Olympics, contributing to her team's gold medal success.

After an illustrious international career, she concluded her journey at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where the Dutch team faced a heartbreaking loss in the final against Great Britain. Throughout her career, Van As has been recognized for her outstanding performance, being named FIH Player of the Year twice, in two thousand nine and two thousand sixteen.

In addition to her sporting achievements, Van As was honored as a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau in two thousand twelve, following her team's Olympic triumph. Off the field, she has been in a long-term relationship with longtrack skater Sven Kramer since two thousand seven, and together they have a daughter born in two thousand eighteen and a son born in two thousand twenty-two.