Berny Boxem-Lenferink Explained

Nationality:Dutch
Birth Date:12 May 1948
Birth Place:Tubbergen, the Netherlands
Death Place:Mijdrecht
Height:1.72m (05.64feet)
Weight:55kg (121lb)
Sport:Middle-distance running
Club:Marathon 50, Vlissingen
Olympics:1972
Show-Medals:yes

Bernardina Maria "Berny" Boxem-Lenferink (; 12 May 1948–12 April 2023), was a Dutch middle-distance runner. She competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in the 1500 metres event and finished in ninth place. She won a silver medal at the 1971 International Cross Country Championships.

Biography

Berny Lenferink was born in Albergen, to Wijlen Antonius Jan Lenferink and Wilhelmina Maria Boswerger in a family of nine siblings. She joined an athletics club following her elder sister Ans. In 1968, she competed in her first national championships, in the 800 m, and finished behind Ans, who won the bronze medal. During that race she broke a bone in her foot, which hindered her training through 1968–1969.

On 23 December 1970, Lenferinke married Leo Boxem and changed her last name to Boxem-Lenferink. She retired from athletics shortly after the 1972 Olympics, aged 24, due to lack of motivation. During her career she won two national cross country titles (2600 m in 1971 and 2500 m in 1972).

She died on 12 April 2023, aged 74, in Mijdrecht where she lived.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 26 April 2023 . In Memoriam Berny Boxem-Lenferink . 22 May 2024 . atletiekunie.nl. nl.