World Championship medalist Moniek Nijhuis will make a full-time move to Plymouth later this month to train with Coach Jon Rudd and alongside new training partner Olympic Champion Ruta Meilutyte.
Nijhuis, representing the Netherlands, was to take a bronze medal to Meilutyte’s gold in the 50m Breaststroke at the 2014 World Short Course Championships in Doha. Later into the meet, she was again a bronze medalist, the 100m Breaststroke providing the occasion, this time to Meilutyte’s silver. At this summer’s World Championships in Kazan, Nijhuis missed a medal in both the 50m and 100m Breaststroke, enticing her to re-evaluate her coaching provision into this season’s Olympic Games in Rio.
At 27 years of age, Nijhuis is a seasoned veteran, having seven European Championship gold medals to her name in the short course pool. Training with Jon Rudd, who, since 2011, has masterminded every gold medal in the book for Meilutyte, it is performance in the long course pool and performance on the biggest stage that both athlete and coach will now seek.
Rudd told Swwimming World that, “When I first received a tentative enquiry from Moniek as to whether or not she could train with us this season, my first thought was to ask Ruta as to what she thought. It was great to note that Ruta immediately saw the positives of having a sparring partner on a daily basis and that the frequency of two world-class female breaststrokers going head-to-head would be fantastic for both of them. As soon as I knew she felt like this, it was a green light for me.”
Following a trial week in Plymouth, Nijhuis said, “The atmosphere in and around the Plymouth Leander programme is exactly what I’m looking for. I get to train with a world-class coach with proven credentials in the amazing Plymouth Life Centre. And to have each session alongside the greatest female breaststroker of all time – what is there not to look forward to? The Dutch coaching team have been very positive and supportive about all of this and I look forward to getting to Plymouth on a full time basis as soon as possible.”
Meilutyte was to back up Rudd’s views. “I’ve always got on really well with Moniek and she’s a great friend of mine. I’m thrilled that she’ll be beside me each day as we both prepare for Rio. To have someone of her quality in the lane next to me will help me get ready for my Olympic title defence as much as I hope it will help her as well.”
Nijhuis’ full-time arrival in Plymouth should coincide with Meilutyte’s regular return to the training pool following her operation for a broken elbow in September. Meilutyte is ahead of the curve in terms of her recovery and is already back in the training pool for kick sets and rehabilitation work.