Barneveld

Barneveld as a martial arts municipality

The martial arts identity of Barneveld is connected with judo and jiu-jitsu. The largest event is the Huigenbos Helsdingen Tournament, which brings judoka and jiu-jitsu practitioners from across the country to the municipality.

In addition, there are options available krav maga for those who want to focus on self-defense.

Martial arts in the Veluwe

Barneveld is an expansive municipality with ten residential areas, including Voorthuizen, Garderen, and Kootwijkerbroek. Martial arts schools serve athletes from all these communities.

With the Veluwehal , the municipality has a venue large enough for tournaments with hundreds of participants.

History and heritage

Thijs van Huigenbos became 2009 Dutch junior judo champion and later won bronze at the 2014 European Cup in Uster. He later opened his own dojo in Voorthuizen.

In September 2025 the Huigenbos Helsdingen Tournament attracted nearly a thousand participants to the Veluwehal. De Barneveldse Krant called it one of the largest martial arts events ever held in the municipality.

Combat sports landscape

The combat sports landscape includes judo and jiu-jitsu, including at Thijs van Huigenbos's dojo in Voorthuizen, and krav maga at Selfdefense & Protection on Rietberglaan in Barneveld.