At 422 caps, Belgium’s John-John Dohmen Closing in on Barry Middleton’s record of 432 caps

John-John Dohmen is a vastly experienced member of the Belgium’s men hockey team. The former national team captain has been integral to Belgium’s growing stature in world hockey over the years. The 34-year-old has featured in four Olympics – 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2021 as well as in two World Cups – 2014 and 2018. At 422 international appearances, Dohmen is the most capped Belgium men’s hockey player, which tells a lot about his longevity. The attacking midfielder quite often joins his forwardline in goal-scoring acts – he has scored 28 international goals in his 17-year international career.

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Born in Anderlecht, Dohmen took to hockey at the age of 5 – he turned out for Waterloo Ducks at the club level, and his hockey talents were noticed by the people who matter as he made his senior international debut at the 16 in a match against Italy. Dohmen played his part in Belgium’s 2021 Tokyo Olympics gold-winning campaign – he scored twice in Belgium’s 9-4 win over South Africa and also scored once in their 5-2 semifinal win over India in the final minute of play. He has a penchant for scoring against India – he had scored once in Belgium 3-2 win at the 2014 World Cup as well.

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However, he also had his share of setbacks – Dohmen had to pull out of the 2018 World Cup in Bhubaneshwar after playing one game as it was initially learned that he had contracted bronchitis but was laid low by life-threatening pneumonia. Dohmen was also instrumental in Red Lions cornering glory at the 2020-21 FIH Pro League as well as in their runners-up finish at the 2019-20 FIH Pro League.

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The celebrated Belgium midfielder is now just 10 matches away from equalling Great Britain’s record of 432 international appearances (the second most capped international men’s hockey player) and Netherlands’ Teeun de Nooijer, who holds the record for being the most capped international men’s hockey player with 453 caps. He has played in all 6 matches for Belgium in the 2021-22 Pro League against Germany, Netherlands and Argentina and would hope to break Barry Middleton’s feat this year.