Dennis van der Geest is a Dutch judoka, who won the bronze medal in the men's heavyweight division at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He was born in Haarlem, Noord-Holland. In 2005, he became world judo champion in the men's open division by defeating Russian Tamerlan Tmenov with ippon in the final. In 2000 and 2002, he became European Champion in the over 100 kg event. He won three bronze medals and one silver medal at previous world championships. At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Van der Geest was eliminated in the first round by Tamerlan Tmenov. He sustained a minor fracture during the match when Tmenov fell on his arm, but he was able to finish the fight. Van der Geest planned to finish his Judo career after the 2008 Summer Olympics to pursue a career in the music industry, but after his unexpected defeat, he was quoted as considering entering the World Championship in 2009. However on May 7, 2009 Dennis van der Geest announced his retirement from top sport, owing to his lack of motivation. Outside his sport he was the ambassador of his favourite football team Feyenoord Rotterdam in the 2005/06 season. Next to that, he released his first single, "To The Sunshine", on August 8, 2008. 

June 27th, 1975 in Haarlem (Age 49)