In this article we tell you more about student-athlete Abel van Beek. In addition, at the bottom of this article you will find the video in which Abel tells more about himself.

Sport: Men’s Track & Field
Entry semester: Fall 2026

From an athletic quest in the Netherlands to a clear goal in America, Abel van Beek is the type of athlete who keeps building. With his impressive explosiveness, a rock-solid work ethic and his social personality, he is ready to take the next big step: playing sports and studying in the Americas.

Although he started playing tennis at a young age, it didn’t take long for Abel to find his true sports passion: athletics. First as a decathlete – where he was broadly trained – but after a year and a half his heart was fully with discus throwing. Now he has been training diligently for that for four years and is among the best and most explosive throwers in his category.

What makes Abel unique? Besides his physical qualities, he excels in coachability and team spirit. In the Netherlands he lacks the feeling of really going for something together. That is why the American team spirit suits him perfectly. He not only wants to improve his distances there, but also to continue to grow physically in areas such as strength and length. And although his future is not mapped out in detail, he knows for sure: for at least four years he wants to get everything out of himself in the US.

With his natural drive and infectious personality, Abel is someone you enjoy working with – and against whom you’d rather not have to pitch.

“I try to keep my work ethic as high as possible”

Curious about Abel’s story? Check out the video below!