Loek Hollander

Loek Hollander was born on 20 May 1938 in the Netherlands and passed away on 16 February 2020. He held a 10th Dan in Kyokushin Karate and was one of the style’s most important pioneers outside Japan. He began training in the 1950s and became a direct student of Mas Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin. Hollander was among the very first non-Japanese practitioners to reach the style’s highest levels, earning his 10th Dan through decades of dedication to training, teaching, and organisational work. He played a crucial role in establishing Kyokushin Karate across Europe—founding organisations, running seminars and competitions, and building the infrastructure that enabled the style to grow across the continent. As a teacher and mentor, he influenced generations of Dutch and European karate practitioners. His legacy as one of Oyama’s most loyal and influential Western students remains central to the history of Kyokushin in Europe.