Niels Laros and Femke Broeders-Bol steal the show in Hengelo

On 21 June 21 2026, the tropical 45th edition of the FBK Games took place at the Fanny Blankers-Koen Stadium in Hengelo, the Netherlands’ top international athletics meeting. Dutch athletes Femke Broeders-Bol, Niels Laros, Jonas Phijffers, Nadine Visser and Jessica Schilder all won their respective events. Fifteen disciplines and four para-athletics events were completed within two and a half hours.

Men’s 100 metres: South Africans sprint fastest against strong headwind

South African sprinters Akani Simbine and Bradley Nkoana were the fastest men despite a strong headwind of -1.8 metres per second, clocking 10.08. Taymir Burnet ran 10.12, only three hundredths above his personal best. A sub-10-second performance appears within reach under better conditions. Elvis Afrifa finished in 10.20. Xavi Mo-Ajok had already impressed in the preliminary programme with 10.22 (+0.1).

Women’s 100 metres: Only a small step away from 10-second times

Minke Bisschops (23), the fastest Dutch female sprinter ever after Dafne Schippers since last year, finished second in Hengelo with 11.08 (-0.6 m/s), behind Jamaica’s Brianna Lyston, who ran 10.99. It seems only a matter of time before Bisschops also breaks the 11-second barrier. Earlier in the preliminary programme, she had already comfortably won in 11.15 (-0.8).

Men’s 400 metres: Jonas Phijffers fastest in Hengelo

Jonas Phijffers from the province of Overijssel, who turned 23 on Saturday, was the fastest man in the 400 metres. His time of 44.84 was his season best and close to his personal record of 44.71. Eugene Omalla set a personal best with 45.03, while Dutch record holder Liemarvin Bonevacia (37) ran 46.06. “My best race of the season in the place where I love doing it the most,” said Phijffers. “Hopefully I can get a little closer each time to Liemarvin Bonevacia’s record (44.48, editor’s note).”

Women’s 400 metres: National record for Hemida Bassant

The race was won by Egypt’s Bassant Hemida in a national record of 50.10. “Hengelo surprises me every year. I already ran a national record on the 200m here, and now a national record on the 400m. And another victory. I don't know what makes Hengelo so good for me, but I love it so much here. I always feel more motivation when running here. More happy and more excited. I will come back here, and hopefully run a sub-50 next year. This season surprises me so far. And to run this time within 48 hours after Doha (Diamond League) feels great. I think if I take some risks, I will manage to get that sub-50 soon”.

Lieke Klaver narrowly improved her season’s best with 50.60. “I’m not extremely happy with my time, but third place is pretty decent for now. Fast times are coming. Technically it was a very good race, but in the last 30 metres I had massive lactate build-up. If I can run a bit harder and more smoothly, I’ll have more speed in the final section and those low-50-second times will come naturally.”

Men’s 800 metres: Dream comeback for Niels Laros

What a comeback after eight months recovering from an Achilles tendon injury. Niels Laros (21) defeated all other 800-metre runners with a devastating finishing sprint, recording 1:43.83, the third-fastest Dutch performance ever behind Bram Som and Rob Druppers. “I’m approaching the season with a very open mindset,” he said earlier this week during the press conference. “There’s only one way to find out where I stand, and that’s by racing. For me it’s still a question mark, but I’m curious and really looking forward to it.” Laros started aggressively, remained near the front throughout, and launched his blistering sprint with 120 metres remaining. “It’s already fantastic just to be back on the starting line, and for it to go this way is amazing. At 120 metres to go I thought: let’s go for it. Bram Som’s Dutch record (from 2006, editor’s note) is very strong, but with this current generation it will probably go soon.” Samuel Chapple finished an excellent second in 1:44.63.

Women’s 800 metres: Femke Broeders-Bol wins her first 800m race in the Netherlands

After incredible success in the 400-metre hurdles, including an unbeaten five-year Diamond League streak, world indoor records in the 400 metres, and numerous relay medals, Femke Broeders-Bol switched to the 800 metres this year — a completely different discipline. She describes this season as a learning year and wants to approach every race with a different tactical plan. In Hengelo she won convincingly, taking the lead after 400 metres and holding on thanks to a strong finishing sprint: 1:57.41. “I get to enjoy this amazing crowd for a whole extra minute,” she joked immediately after the race. “I gained a lot of experience again here,” she added. “I try not to focus too much on split times and run mainly by feel.” 

Men’s 1500 metres: American Prakel defeats Anselmini

American Samuel Prakel won the 1500 metres in 3:33.23 by overtaking Frenchman Paul Anselmini just before the finish line. Prakel: “I didn't get to do a victory lap in a while, maybe ever in my career. I soaked it in after the race, signed some autographs. It doesn't happen that often, so I wanted to take advantage of it. Especially at a meet like this.”

 Men’s 5000 metres: African showdown, Mike Foppen shows resilience

Ugandan Keneth Kiprop won the sprint finish in an African battle against Eritrean Saymon Amanuel and fellow Ugandan Dolphine Chelimo. The relatively modest winning time of 13:13.43 was likely due to the tropical conditions. Dutch record holder Mike Foppen (13:02.43) showed resilience with a fast final two laps to finish fifth in 13:19.47. Tim Verbaandert appeared to be missing some of his recent top form, judging by his 14:04.74, almost a minute slower than his personal best of 13:06.14.

Men’s 110m hurdles: Belgian Michael Obasuyi fastest

Despite the headwind, Belgium’s Michael Obasuyi was the fastest in the 110m hurdles (13.30, -1.3 m/s), closely followed by Japan’s Izumiya (13.32). Obasuyi: “When I saw the competition, I knew I had a chance of winning the race. Also considering the headwind, which is in my advantage. I am most happy to be healthy, fit and finally be able to compete for the prizes at this level.”

Women’s 100m hurdles: Nadine Visser wins Hengelo again

Nadine Visser (31) won the 100m hurdles in Hengelo for the second consecutive year. Despite a massive headwind of -1.8 m/s, the world indoor silver medallist and European indoor silver medallist in the 60m hurdles still managed an outstanding 12.52. “I’m happy I managed to technically power through the headwind. Of course you wonder what I would have run if the wind had been the other way around. I already ran 12.47 this season with a nice tailwind, so I think I could have gone much faster.” Maayke Tjin A-Lim and Mira Groot ran 12.96 and 12.99 respectively.

Women’s long jump: Marthe Koala defeats Larissa Iapichino

Under difficult conditions caused by swirling winds, Burkina Faso’s Marthe Koala won the long jump with 6.77 metres (0.0 m/s). Italian European indoor champion Larissa Iapichino jumped 6.73 metres (-0.7 m/s). Dutch record holder Pauline Hondema (6.91 metres) finished fourth with 6.53 metres. World indoor pentathlon champion Sofie Dokter placed fifth with 6.32 metres (+0.6 m/s).

Women’s high jump featuring world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh

World record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh from Ukraine (2.10 metres) won the high jump with 1.94 metres. Dutch athlete Glenka Antonia finished fourth with 1.88 metres.

Pole vault: Christopher Nilsen wins, birthday boy Ben Broeders second

American Christopher Nilsen cleared the highest height in the pole vault: 5.82 metres. Three attempts at 6.01 metres were unsuccessful. Birthday celebrant Ben Broeders finished second with 5.72 metres, while Menno Vloon took third with 5.64 metres.

Women’s shot put: Jessica Schilder over 20 metres again

“I haven’t had the best week, so I’m satisfied with the victory and my throw beyond 20 metres,” said world champion Jessica Schilder, referring to an inflamed finger that had been bothering her.

Schilder threw 20.03 metres, comfortably enough for the win. Jorinde van Klinken opened with an excellent 19.34 metres. Her personal best stands at 19.57 metres.

Men’s discus throw: Germany’s Henrik Jansen throws furthest

Germany’s Henrik Jansen won the discus throw in Hengelo with 68.21 metres. Newly crowned Dutch record holder Ruben Rolvink (71.22 metres in Ramona, the American discus mecca) finished fourth with 65.42 metres, just ahead of former record holder Shaquille Emanuelson (65.17 metres).

Para-athletics fully integrated in Hengelo

Since 2025, the Reggeborgh Foundation and the FBK Games have worked closely together to give para-athletes the stage they deserve. Several para-athletes also shone during this edition.

Fleur Jong was in a class of her own with a long jump of 6.59 metres (-0.2 m/s). Ireland’s Orla Comerford won the 100 metres in 11.76 (+0.6 m/s). Olivier Hendriks was the fastest in the 200 metres in 21.66 (+0.5 m/s). Lara Baars approached her world record of 9.77 metres with a throw of 9.47 metres. By integrating these top athletes into the programme, the Reggeborgh Foundation and the FBK Games bring the public closer to the sport and contribute to the continued growth of para-athletics.