In the year 2000, a jury convenes in Friesland to elect the Sportsman of the Century. One man, Sake Wiarda, tries to convince his fellow-jury members not to nominate a sports hero like Abe Lenstra, but to give preference to the Frisian pole-squatter Taeke Jongsma. In flashbacks, Wiarda tells his audience the life story of this worker's son, who since childhood tries to escape the oppression of the working class in the thirties. Taeke finds out he is a splendid pole-squatter, but his record attempts are repeatedly thwarted by his great rival in love. Against the background of the historical changes in the previous century, the love story gradually unfolds between the pole-squatter and the farmer's daughter.
Taeke
Tjitske
Rintje
Jonge Sake Wiarda
Swobkje
Hylke Meinsma
Jonge Taeke
Jonge Tjitske
Oude Tjitske
Oude Taeke
Rients
Leraar
Commissaris van de Koningin 1997-2000
Jonge Rintje
Oude Rintje
Sake Wiarda
Frans Berkhout
Pijlsma
Riemer
Heinze
Henk
Johannes
Douwe
Gaais
Fedde
Dominee
Commissaris van de Koningin 1955
Chauffeur
Chauffeur
Scheidsrechter
Obe Boonstra
Vader Boonstra
Baukje
Buwe
Jonge Peet
Oude Peet
Harm
Kees
Foppe
Gevangenisdirecteur
Man uit Woudsend
Tjalle & Tjalling
Huisvrouw 1
Huisvrouw 2
Barman
Klant
Serveerster 1
Serveerster 2
Bankmedewerkster
Gewonde man
Agent
Jonge Marietje
Oude Marietje
Anne
Rintjes vrouw
Kleinzoon Fedde
Lieske
Jongen
Vriend