Berny Boxem-Lenferink


Bernardina Maria "Berny" Boxem-Lenferink is a retired 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 to Wijlen Antonius Jan Lenferink and Wilhelmina Maria Boswerger in a family of nine siblings. She came to 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 crosscountry titles.