The magazine of the photo-essay
Aug 2016 back issue
by Jan-Joseph Stok
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
Toninho Norden is a war veteran, born in 1987, he was heavily wounded by a roadside bomb during a military mission
in Afghanistan. During a patrol, the vehicle he was in exploded due to an IED (Improvised Explosive Device). Two of
his colleagues died and he lost both his legs.
He woke up after being in coma for two weeks in a military hospital in Utrecht (Netherlands). After an intensive
rehabilitation period, Tony started to train heavily, and after some time became a top athlete. He competes in three
disciplines: powerlifting, wheelchair basketball and ball throw. He is part of the Dutch team of wounded soldiers who
competed this year at the Invictus Games in Orlando (United States).
Tony is now preparing for the Paralympics in 2020. One of his plans for the near future is to give lectures to other
people about the things he went through in his rehabilitation period and to inspire people to make the best out of life.
Photographer Jan-Joseph Stok followed him intensively over the course of two months in his preparation for the
games and in his daily life.
Toninho Norden (28) is at a training facility, trying out a special heavy weighted vest.
Toninho Norden (28) is photographed at the rehabilitation center, where the main training for the Invictus Games is
taking place.
Toninho Norden (28) having a day out with his wife Brit at the Amsterdam Bos (forest resort in Amsterdam).
Toninho Norden (28) doing the shopping with his wife Brit at a supermarket in Amsterdam.
Toninho Norden (28) moving from one place to another at the rehabilitation center, where the main training for the
Invictus Games is talking place. The woman on the left, Jaaike Brandsma has been one of Toninho’s greatest
supporters, being there for him from the beginning after the incident. In the middle, Kenny Bouman who is also part of
the wheelchair basketball team.
Toninho Norden (28) at a wheelchair basketball game with the Dutch team who is competing at the Invictus Games in
Orlando (paralympics for wounded soldiers).
Toninho Norden (28) training with the Dutch wheelchair basketball cteam, ompeting for the Invictus Games (special
paralympics for wounded soldiers) in Orlando 2016.
Toninho Norden (28) fixing his prothesis before starting with his training.
Toninho Norden doing special personal training with Steve Chelius (one of his coaches who is also a family member) at
the USC (University sport center of Amsterdam) in preparation of the Invictus Games.
Toninho Norden doing special personal training with Steve Chelius.
Toninho Norden doing special personal training with Steve Chelius.
Toninho Norden doing a special training for powerlifting with his father Kenneth in preparation of the Invictus Games.
Toninho Norden being treated by the physiotherapist Bruce Fritz (who specialises in top Athletes) and uses a certain
form of acupuncture to release muscle pain.
Toninho Norden attending the 50th birthday party of his father, with family and friends. Toninho’s father, Kenneth, is
also his coach for Powerlifting for the Invictus Games. On his left is his sister.
Toninho Norden being interviewed by the press before his departure to Invictus Games in Orlando (United States).
