03 / FIGHTBASE CITIES

NL

Brunssum

Brunssum is a municipality in South Limburg with a place in international judo history: in 1972, the Dutch Open was held here, with winners from East Germany and Great Britain and Dutch medalists such as Cor Brandts and Jan Bosman. Today, Taekwondo Pal Gwe Brunssum is the municipality’s established martial arts club.

At a glance

Country NETHERLANDS  Netherlands Region Limburg
Gyms 2 Fighters 0 Trainers 0 Events - Venues 0 Organizations 0

Introduction

FightBase story

About this city

Brunssum, in the South Limburg mining region, was 1972 the host of the Dutch Open judo tournament and, with Taekwondo Pal Gwe, has a club with over forty years of experience.

FightBase story

Overview

Brunssum as a martial arts destination

Brunssum's martial arts history has an international highlight: the Dutch Open judo of 1972. This briefly put the mining town on the map of the European judo world.

In today's martial arts scene, Taekwondo Pal Gwe Brunssum is the go-to club, claiming more than forty years of experience.

FightBase story

Geography and character

Martial arts in the Mijnstreek

Brunssum is located in the Eastern Mijnstreek of South Limburg, close to the German border. This location partly explains the international interest in the 1972 judo tournament, with participants from Germany and Belgium, among others.

FightBase story

History

History and heritage

On 2 and 3 April 1972 the Dutch Open judo tournament was held in Brunssum. According to JudoInside, among the winners were Karl-Heinz Werner and Klaus Hennig from the GDR, and the Briton David Starbrook. Dutch competitors such as Cor Brandts and and Jan Bosman won silver.

Taekwondo Pal Gwe Brunssum subsequently built a long-standing taekwondo tradition in the municipality, with members progressing to black belts and dan grades.

FightBase story

Martial arts landscape

Combat sports landscape

Taekwondo Pal Gwe Brunssum trains at Leenheerstraat and is the municipality's established martial arts club. The club participates in regional tournaments and examinations.

Martial arts facts

International judo tournament
Dutch Open Brunssum, 2–3 April 1972
with participants from, among others, the GDR, West Germany, Great Britain and Belgium 1972 Dutch Open Brunssum
Winner -93 kg (1972)
David Starbrook (Great Britain)
Jan Bosman (NED) won silver 1972 Dutch Open Brunssum
Taekwondo club
Taekwondo Pal Gwe Brunssum
Leenheerstraat 52; over 40 years of experience, according to the club Taekwondo Pal Gwe Brunssum Contact – Taekwondo Pal Gwe Brunssum

Data last checked on 8 October 2026

Improve FightBase Do you see an error?

Is information missing or is something incorrect? Send us a correction or addition.