Prior to his swimming career Daan Buijze was imprisoned in a Japanese internment camp in the Dutch East Indies during World War II. After the war ended Buijze had success at the Dutch national swimming championships, winning his first medal in 1948 with silver in the 400 metres freestyle. The following year he was part of the quartet representing HZ&PC that won gold in the 4 x 200 metres freestyle, with the team retaining their title in 1950. Buijze won further medals, including gold in the 200 metres breaststroke in 1951 and 1952, breaking the Dutch national record at the latter. That same year he also swam in the 200 metres breaststroke at the Helsinki Olympics, as the butterfly stroke had not yet been officially recognised by FINA. At the Games he finished second in his heat, before being eliminated in the semi-finals. At the 1953 Dutch championships Buijze once again won gold in the 200 metres butterfly, along with silver in the 4 x 200 metres freestyle. Two years later he was awarded with the KNZB gold performance medal at the organisation’s annual general meeting.
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