Bo Kramer’s journey from a young girl grappling with uncertainty to one of the world’s finest wheelchair basketball players is nothing short of remarkable. Eleven years ago, at just 14 years old, she tried wheelchair basketball for the first time, uncertain of what her future held. Today, she is a driving force behind the Netherlands’ rise in the sport, leading her team from relative obscurity to global dominance.
Kramer first burst onto the scene during the 2016 Rio Paralympics, where the Netherlands won a bronze medal. Since then, the team has gone from strength to strength, winning two World Championships and clinching the gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics. The Dutch team’s most recent triumph came in a victory over China, a nation that, alongside the Netherlands, has risen to challenge the long-standing dominance of the United States and Canada in wheelchair basketball.
Kramer’s versatility and all-around ability have been pivotal for the Netherlands. In Tokyo, she was tasked with leading her team in the final quarter against an offensively aggressive U.S. team. Her leadership on the court proved crucial as the Netherlands won their first Paralympic gold medal in the sport.
In the gold medal match, Kramer faced tough opposition from China’s defensive unit, which focused on neutralizing the Netherlands’ star forward, Mariska Beijer. Despite the pressure, Kramer delivered a standout performance, scoring 15 points and leading her team to a commanding 50-31 victory.
Two years later, Kramer once again showcased her prowess at the World Championships in Dubai. She contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds in the final, helping the Netherlands secure a 57-34 victory over China. The win solidified the Netherlands’ status as the world’s best wheelchair basketball team as they now set their sights on further success at the upcoming Paris Paralympics.
Kramer’s journey to the top of the sport began under challenging circumstances. As a child, she dreamed of wearing the Netherlands’ iconic orange jersey and scoring goals for the national football team. However, at age 11, she was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. Throughout nine surgeries, doctors were able to save her leg, but she could no longer run or jump—skills essential for football.
“The hardest part of having cancer was knowing I couldn’t play football anymore,” Kramer told BBC Sport last year. “I took every opportunity to make myself better and stronger. But when I found out I couldn’t play football anymore, it was tough.”
At 14, Kramer discovered a new dream during a Paralympic sports event. Before that day, she had never used a wheelchair, but the moment she made her first basket, she was hooked.
“It was love at first sight,” Kramer said in an interview with NBC Sports last year. “I found a new passion in this sport, and it really helped me recover and accept that I could no longer participate in able-bodied sports.”
Now, with her sights set on Paris 2024, Kramer is determined to lead the Netherlands to even greater heights. Her story is one of resilience, passion, and the unyielding pursuit of excellence—a true inspiration for athletes and fans around the world.
