Kickboxing in Arnhem: history, trainers and fighters

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Introduction

History of this sport

Fred Royers and Klarendal. Fred Royers was born on March 15, 1955, in Klarendal, a working-class neighborhood in Arnhem. He started out as a karateka, became Dutch karate champion nine times, and won silver at the 1981 World Games. To train in kickboxing, he traveled daily from Arnhem to Amsterdam to train with Jan Plas at Mejiro Gym.

An Arnhem school since 1979. In 1979, Royers founded Kickboxing Arnhem, just a few years after the first Dutch kickboxing gala in Amsterdam in 1976. Arnhem therefore has an early place in Dutch kickboxing history. According to the Arnhemse Koerier, the club produced many champions, and several schools in the area grew out of it.

From Sportschool Kreijtz to MFC Klarendal. Kickboxing Arnhem used to train in the dojo at Sportschool Kreijtz and is now based at MFC Klarendal on Kazerneplein. In December 2024, the club celebrated its 45th anniversary. The Arnhem neighborhood of Klarendal thus connects Royers's background with the club's current training location.

Arnhem as a major kickboxing stage. On December 21, 2019, 31,000 spectators watched the rematch between Rico Verhoeven and Badr Hari at GelreDome. According to ANP, millions of TV viewers in 180 countries also followed the fight. GLORY stated that Collision 2 broke Dutch and European records for attendance and TV ratings; this is a claim made by the organization.

A recurring GLORY city. After 2019, GLORY returned to GelreDome, including for Collision 3 on October 23, 2021, and Collision 7 on December 7, 2024. At GLORY 105 in February 2026, Mory Kromah succeeded Rico Verhoeven as heavyweight world champion in Arnhem. He did not have to fight the final because his opponent withdrew with a broken toe.

Local connections

Klarendal as a local base. Fred Royers was born in Klarendal, and his school is now located at MFC Klarendal. Trainers and fighters such as William Schuurman and Jemyma Betrian connect multiple generations with Kickboxing Arnhem.

From the gym to GelreDome. Arnhem has both a local kickboxing tradition dating back to 1979 and a major international competition venue. The GLORY events at GelreDome stand alongside, rather than replace, the daily training at Arnhem’s gyms.

Martial arts facts

Arnhem kickboxing tradition: Since 1979
Kickboxing audience in Arnhem: 31,000 spectators
Kickboxing in Klarendal: MFC Klarendal
Arnhem as a regular GLORY venue: Collision 3 and Collision 7
New heavyweight champion in Arnhem: Mory Kromah, February 2026
Arnhem on television worldwide: 180 countries

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Clubs and training locations

Training in this city

Training in Arnhem. Decide whether you want to learn technique, improve your fitness, build your resilience, or train for competitions. Ask an Arnhem gym which classes and coaching would suit you. Kickboxing Arnhem provides a local historical foundation; Krista Fleming’s training also shows the role resilience plays for children and seniors.

Technique and contact training. Ask how punches, kicks, footwork, and defense are taught. Discuss whether sparren is part of the class, how intense the contact is, and which protective gear you need. Check class times and the intended audience directly with the provider.

Choose a club

Choose a suitable gym in Arnhem. Kickboxing Arnhem at Kazerneplein is a club with deep historical roots in the city. Compare the current class schedule, accessibility, group structure, and coaching with your goals. Ask in advance about classes for beginners, youth, recreationalists, or competitive athletes.

Try a class. Pay attention to the trainer’s explanations, how members treat one another, and the rules around sparren. Ask what protective gear you need and how contact is introduced. A well-known champion is interesting, but a safe training environment and appropriate coaching matter more.

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Athletes with a connection to this city

Fred “Le Gladiator” Royers. According to the Arnhem Courier, Royers became the third Dutch person ever to win a WKA world championship, and it wasn’t his first world title. He was known for his powerful low kicks, which became a hallmark of Dutch kickboxing. The local newspaper lists 39 wins out of 43 bouts. The year of his WKA title is not given here because the research provided does not establish it with certainty.

Jemyma Betrian. Betrian trained and also taught at Kickboxing Arnhem. Her training relationship with Fred Royers is connected to Arnhem. This describes her connection to the Arnhem school, not necessarily her birthplace or place of residence.

Krista Fleming. Fleming is from Arnhem and became a world kickboxing champion in 2007. She later also put her experience to use coaching children and seniors.

Ray Staring. Staring later became known as an MMA fighter, but was also part of Kickboxing Arnhem’s competition team. He calls Royers his teacher and describes the former training venue at Sportschool Kreijtz. His story shows how the Arnhem kickboxing school has influenced other martial arts.

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Trainers with a connection to this city

Fred Royers. Royers founded Kickboxing Arnhem in 1979, laying the foundations for a long-standing local kickboxing tradition. From 1990 onward, he also became known as a Dutch combat sports commentator on Eurosport. Among other events, he commentated on the first fight between Badr Hari and Rico Verhoeven in 2016. According to local reports, he can no longer coach training sessions himself.

William Schuurman and Kickboxing Arnhem. Schuurman has been involved with the club for more than forty years and now runs it alongside, among others, Benjey Zimmerman, Eibert Beugelink, and Melvin Lang. The Arnhem school is based at MFC Klarendal on Kazerneplein.

Krista Fleming. The former kickboxing world champion from Arnhem won her world title in 2007. She now also trains seniors and children, including through self-defense training. Her work connects competitive sport with confidence and resilience for different generations in Arnhem.