Michel de Ruiter
Athlete / Volunteer

The Flower Cup is pure nostalgia! I competed 6 or 7 times, starting in 1989 or 1991, and continued through 2001. In 1995, I began publishing digital results, but earlier editions remain buried in paper archives. My most memorable year was 1993 when I almost won the non-Elite Men category but made a small mistake in the finals. Later, I moved to the Elite category, competing against world-class athletes like Emanuel Durand and Vladimir Kakorko, and even made the finals in 1995 and 1999. In 1999, my performance was featured on national TV: fame! :-)

After retiring in 2002, I stayed connected as an organizer. The Flower Cup is unmatched in blending world-class talent with a welcoming, global community.

To today's participants: cherish the friendships and memories, as they'll last far longer than any results!