In the decade since he made his Olympic debut in Beijing, Dutch gymnast Epke Zonderland has become Olympic, World and European champion on Horizontal Bar, a knight and even a doctor of medicine. But it is his newest role that may bring him the most pride yet: dad.
 Zonderland arrived in Doha for the World Championships, a day after his team to spend more one day with his son, Bert Eize, who was born on 13 October, and his wife, Linda. “It feels amazing,” says Zonderland, who was married a month after the 2016 Olympics in Rio. “It’s hard to grasp. I’m still really excited. Of course I’m looking forward to this world championships, but I’m also looking forward to going back home.”
The 32-year-old hero from Heerenveen was relieved he was able to be there for the birth of his son before leaving for Doha. “We were all so happy that it was on time, and I had a small week to enjoy my little boy,” he says.
Known for his high-flying releases and combinations on Horizontal Bar, Zonderland is the 2012 Olympic champion, 2013 and 2014 World champion and three-time (2009, 2010, 2017) World championships silver medallist. He also owns seven European championships medals, including a silver behind Oliver Hegi of Switzerland in August in Glasgow.
Zonderland, who trained with the Dutch team in the second subdivision of podium training on Sunday at the Aspire Dome, said he felt healthy and confident going into competition. “The main goal is to become top 12 with the team,” says Zonderland, who was appointed a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau from the Dutch government in 2012. “At our last big team competition, the 2016 Rio test event, we were 11th, so it would be really nice to maintain that.”
At last year’s World Championships in Montreal, Zonderland managed a one-armed catch on a Cassina to Kovacs release combination, swinging out of it and resuming his routine to the delight of the audience. Despite the memorable moment and silver medal in Montreal, Zonderland is aiming to do better in Doha.
“Let’s see what happens,” he says. “What I hope is that I will make a good routine without any mistakes. Last year I think it was a great world championships because after two years it was the first time I was in shape again. Of course it was a strange mistake [in the final] but a cool one so that made it OK, but this time I want to make a routine as planned — no funny mistakes.”