Renzo Tjon-A-Joe


Renzo Tjon-A-Joe is a Surinamese swimmer who mainly swims in 50 m and 100 m freestyle events. He competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics and is the fastest swimmer in Surinamese history.

Biography

-born Renzo Tjon-A-Joe is his country's fastest swimmer to date. He made his first appearance on the world stage at the age of 18, as a member of the Surinamese selection for the 2013 Junior Worlds in Dubai, UAE. In Dubai, he was a finalist in the 50 m freestyle. He went on to be the most successful athlete from Suriname in 2013 and 2015 and was named 2013 and 2015 Male Athlete of the Year. In his country, he currently holds all national sprint records for the 50 m and 100 m freestyle in the long course and short course. Renzo previously trained at in preparation for the 2016 Summer Olympics under the world-renowned sprint coach Brett Hawke. He now studies Economics at Harvard University. In 2018 Tjon A Joe completed a regional sprint trifecta- winning gold in the 50m Freestyle at the ODESUR South American Games, Central American and Caribbean Games and CCCAN Championships.

Personal bests

EventTimeMeetLocationDate
100 m Freestyle49.29Swim CupEindhoven, NetherlandsApril 7, 2016
50 m Freestyle22.23Summer OlympicsRio de Janeiro, BrazilAugust 11, 2016
50 m Butterfly24.40CAC GamesVeracruz, MexicoNovember 17, 2014
4 x 50 m
Freestyle relay		1.35.30CARIFTA ChampionshipsBridgetown, BarbadosApril 7, 2015

with Juan Limburg, Irvin Hoost, and Zuhayr Pigot
EventTimeVenueDate
50m freestyle21.90QatarDecember, 2012
100m freestyle49.90SurinameJune, 2014
50m butterfly24.48QatarDecember, 2014

International competitions

2014 Arena Grand Prix Series USA

He is currently pursuing a degree in economics at Harvard University. Tjon-A-Joe has an older brother named Maikel and a younger sister named Arantxa. He speaks Dutch, English, Sranan Tongo and Spanish. He has said his favourite film is Pim De La Parra's, Wan Pipel.