RUNDER

RUNDER ELITE 
TONE WIETEN

National Dutch Rowing Team (TeamNL Roeien).
2x World + EU Champion. Olympic Champion: Paris 2024 Gold, Tokyo 2020 Gold, Rio 2016 Bronze.

Tone is one of those people that naturally light up the room! On first sight, you just know there is something special about this human. Standing taller than 2 metres, he wears a big friendly smile, has the obvious broadly set shoulders and the look of absolute health and well being. He's humble, down to earth and has already achieved so much! It's been wonderful getting to know Tone more personally over the last year and we're absolutely privileged to have him as part of the Runder Elites! Let's go bru!

Tone, can you share a little about yourself, your story, your journey and how you got to where you are today?

My name is Tone Wieten, I'm 30 years old, and I was born and raised in Amsterdam. I'm a professional rower for the Dutch national team (TeamNL Roeien) My first Olympic Games were in 2016, where I competed in the Holland8 and won a bronze medal. For the following two Olympics, I rowed in the men’s quadruple sculls, winning back-to-back Olympic gold (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024) and becoming double world champion (2019 and 2023). These victories combined make me the most successful Dutch rower in history.

 

I started rowing in 2004 at the age of 10, gradually progressing from junior to senior level. Interestingly, it wasn't my idea to start rowing — my mother insisted I give it a try, even though I initially thought it was a boring sport. It turned out to be the best decision I ever made. Reflecting on my career with the national team over the past decade, I've learned that having a goal you're willing to work hard for, staying consistent, and loving the process makes the entire journey worthwhile.

What’s your best way to staying positive, especially when things get tough?

Sports are never just about constant improvement — there are always ups and downs, and that's okay. It's part of the process. When things get tough, I allow myself to feel sad or frustrated. But what's crucial is snapping out of that mindset, trusting the process, and deciding to commit to getting better. Those principles help me stay grounded.

When you think about the mark you’ve left on your sport, what do you hope for in terms of inspiration to the youth?

With Dutch rowing being the best in the world for the past two years, I hope I can inspire people of all ages to take up rowing. It's an incredible sport where I've made lifelong friends, enjoyed the outdoors, and trained my entire body. It's truly a sport for everyone.

 

What’s one habit or routine you swear by for your health—whether it’s mental, physical, or both—that helps you show up as your best self every day?

Working toward major events like the Olympics or world championships I need a highly structured schedule. Knowing what I need to do tomorrow, this week, and next week gives me peace of mind, allowing me to focus on performing at my best physically. That involves not just following the training plan, but also taking care of myself by going to the physiotherapist, eating the right nutrients, and making sure I get enough sleep.
Poster

Looking ahead to the next year, what’s one challenge or goal you’re setting for yourself to keep growing?

I want to continue challenging myself both physically and mentally. Over the past two years, I've only focused on rowing, which was quite relaxing but also made me realize I missed some variety in my daily routine. So this year, I want to add something outside of rowing to stimulate my mind differently. What that is, I don’t know yet. A nice goal to work on from now.

How does Runder fit into your lifestyle?

I was looking for a natural, minimally processed protein snack to fuel me between training sessions. That's when I discovered Runder. I use their products not only because they taste amazing, but also because they're functional as a protein source. I eat Runder snacks between practices, during training camps abroad when there's a long gap between lunch and dinner, or on busy days when I want a healthy snack, and I have no time to go to the store. It gives peace of mind knowing that I always have a good snack on hand to fuel my body with the right nutrients. 

Spill the beans, Tone. What's your favourite Runder product?

That's a tough question — there are so many great options! When I'm craving a tasty snack, I love the droëwors and fatty biltong chunks. When I'm on the road and in need of a quick protein boost, the smoky BBQ biltong snack pack is my go-to.

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