Boxing in Arnhem | Orhan Delibaş and boxing training

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Introduction

History of this sport

Boxing as a sport across several Arnhem schools. Arnhem's boxing history is not the career of a single champion. It was shaped by training gyms, coaches, and boxers who built the sport in different parts of the city. The Boksacademie and Boxing by Kasap are two prominent names in that landscape. One is associated with Orhan Delibaş's later training practice, while the other grew out of the work of boxing coach Sayit Yanik. Competitive boxers also emerged from other Arnhem schools.

The Rijnhal as a sporting venue. In 1988, Delibaş became Dutch junior champion at Arnhem's Rijnhal. His Olympic silver medal in 1992 then brought national attention to boxing in Arnhem. This achievement is an important moment in the city's history, but not its beginning or end: a medal only takes on meaning against the years of training and competitions made possible by Arnhem's boxers and their coaches.

New space for boxing training. Boxing by Kasap was founded by Sayit Yanik in 2015. By 2016, HaberArnhem was reporting that the school was expanding its training space. The focus was on both boxing drills and physical training. Alongside the existing boxing schools, a new Arnhem venue took shape where recreationalists could train and competitive boxers could receive coaching.

Several clubs at the Dutch championships. A preview of the 2016 Dutch championships mentioned Arnhem competitors from Boxing by Kasap, the Boksacademie, and Muscular Arnhem. Dirk van Viersen, Hendrik van der Vaart, Martin Foru, and Stevan Djokic competed in different weight classes and divisions. Essja Achouti of the Boksacademie was also mentioned in the women's competition. This spread shows that competitive boxing in Arnhem did not rest on one name or one club.

Women's boxing and youth development. In 2018, Arnhem boxer Husniye Calisir, then associated with Boxing by Kasap, won the Northern Netherlands title. A local report also describes Arnhem coach Sayit Yanik coaching Dutch youth boxers at a world championship. The Arnhem story therefore continues through female athletes, new competitors, and coaches who put their experience to use beyond the city.

Local connections

The Rijnhal as a local landmark. In 1988, Arnhem’s Rijnhal was the venue for Orhan Delibaş’ first Dutch junior title. So an international medal began not only on the Olympic podium in Barcelona, but also with a match in his hometown. This connects the local sports scene with one of the best-known Dutch boxing achievements of the 1990s.

From Arnhem to the national team. Delibaş started boxing at a young age in Arnhem and was later selected for Orange. A later generation of Arnhem boxing coaches is also involved in boxing beyond the city: according to a local report, Sayit Yanik worked as a coach with Dutch youth boxers at a world championship. Both stories show how a city’s training environment can connect with competitive sport on a broader scale.

Boxing alongside other martial arts. Arnhem also has a kickboxing tradition, with Kickboxing Arnhem as a well-known name. This broader martial arts scene is part of the city’s character, but boxing and kickboxing are not the same. This page focuses on Delibaş’ boxing career, Arnhem’s boxing classes, and boxing coaches; achievements in other disciplines are not presented as boxing titles.

Martial arts facts

Junior boxing title at the Rijnhal: 1988
Establishment of Boxing by Kasap: 2015
Northern Dutch boxing title Husniye Calisir: 2018

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Clubs and training locations

Training in this city

More than one place to box. Arnhem has several registered boxing venues, including Boksacademie on Zorgvlietstraat and Boxing by Kasap on Leemansweg. Their locations make it possible to explore the sport in different parts of the city. There are also martial arts schools with a different focus, such as kickboxing. So check whether each location offers classes focused specifically on boxing and what level of training is available.

From basics to mastery. A beginner first learns to stand firmly and move freely, keep their hands up, and throw punches with control. Then combinations, distance, and defense become more important. Repetition helps build technique without relying solely on strength. This applies just as much to those who box recreationally as to those with competitive ambitions.

Youth, recreationalists, and competitive boxers. Boksacademie offers separate classes for youth, beginners, and advanced or competition-focused boxers. These are different paths through the same sport. Not everyone has to spar or compete in boxing. Those who do need a careful progression, with partner drills, clear contact levels, and suitable coaching.

Choose a club

First choose your training goal. Do you want to learn boxing technique, exercise without contact, or work towards competing in the future? Compare locations in Arnhem by the type of classes they offer, not just by a well-known name. Ask how beginners are accommodated and whether young people, recreationalists and competitive boxers receive separate coaching.

Pay attention to the sport and the coaching. Boxing and kickboxing involve different techniques and competition rules. If you're looking for boxing, check whether the class focuses on the sport of boxing. Also ask how trainers explain footwork, defense and partner drills, when sparren is introduced, and whether contact-free training is an option. Clear expectations matter more than a tough image.

Compare the day-to-day experience. Accessibility, class times and group size all affect whether you can keep training. Ask whether you can take a trial class and what you need to bring. During a class like that, you can see how a trainer gives feedback, how new members are welcomed, and whether the pace suits your experience.

Make your own choice. A former elite athlete as a trainer can be inspiring, but the best place is different for everyone. Compare several locations based on your goal, the quality of the coaching, safety and practical accessibility. That way, you can choose a boxing class in Arnhem that suits you, without putting one club ahead of the others by default.

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Athletes with a connection to this city

Orhan Delibaş: from Arnhem to Olympic silver. Delibaş was born in Kayseri and began boxing in Arnhem at the age of nine. He won the Dutch junior title at the Rijnhal in 1988 and reached the Olympic final in Barcelona in 1992, where he won silver. His own career overview also lists six Dutch senior titles after his junior title.

Arnhem boxers at the 2016 Dutch National Championships. Arnhem’s competitive boxing scene was not represented by just one well-known name. In a preview of the 2016 Dutch championships, Dirk van Viersen and Hendrik van der Vaart of Boxing by Kasap were named as finalists in their divisions. According to the same report, Stevan Djokic of Muscular Arnhem and Martin Foru of the Boxing Academy were set to compete in a semifinal. Their participation shows that several Arnhem gyms sent boxers to national competitions.

An Arnhem woman boxer also reached the final. In the same preview, Essja Achouti of the Boxing Academy was named as a finalist in the women’s competition. Her name is therefore also part of Arnhem’s competitive boxing story. A scheduled final is not the same as a title win; her mention refers to her place among the competitors.

Ismael Tadloui and the international ring. In 2016, Tadloui was named as an Arnhem boxer from Boxing by Kasap at the Eindhoven Boxing Cup. He had reached the semifinal, but according to the local report, medical advice meant he was unable to compete in the bout. His example shows that a boxing career is not made up only of titles won, but also of qualifications and sometimes a mandatory break.

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Trainers with a connection to this city

Orhan Delibaş and the Boxing Academy. The former Olympian has combined his boxing experience with training in Arnhem. The Boxing Academy describes separate classes for youth, beginners, and advanced athletes. That distinction matters: a child boxing for the first time, a recreational boxer, and an experienced competitive boxer do not need the same training structure or guidance.

Sayit Yanik and youth boxing. A local profile describes Arnhem boxing coach Sayit Yanik as coaching Dutch youth boxers at a youth world championship. The article mentions several medals for the Dutch team. Those results are achievements of the athletes mentioned and the national team, not automatically personal titles for an Arnhem club.

Guidance in everyday classes. A coaching career involves more than guiding athletes at tournaments. In an Arnhem boxing class, stance, footwork, punching technique, and defense are practiced regularly. A good coach lets a new member practice step by step and builds up partner work or sparren to suit their level. Behind the well-known competition results is the ordinary, patient work in the gym.