Kickboxing in The Hague

FightBase story

Introduction

History of this sport

The Hague's kickboxing originated from karate. As in the rest of the Netherlands, The Hague's kickboxing originated from karate. The first schools in The Hague opened in the early 1980s.

Dojo Kamakura. In 1981, the Gordeau brothers founded Dojo Kamakura, where several world, European, and Dutch champions in various martial arts have trained. The school is now located on Laan van Poot.

Dojo Sakura. A year later, in 1982, Ron Jung and The Hague karateka Ben Betgen started Dojo Sakura, where karate and kickboxing were taught. This made Sakura one of the first kickboxing schools in The Hague; Kamakura opened a year earlier, although it was primarily a karate school.

Thom Harinck. One of the founders of Dutch kickboxing also came from The Hague: Thom Harinck was born there in 1943. His Chakuriki gym, however, was in Amsterdam.

One of the strongest kickboxing cities. In recent years, The Hague has become one of the strongest kickboxing cities in the Netherlands. Five fighters from The Hague were on the card at Glory 92 in 2024. A trainer from The Hague told Omroep West that The Hague is "ahead of the rest" because people from all over the world come to cities like The Hague to learn the "Dutch Style".

Local connections

A city full of world champions. The Hague has produced several world champions: Gerard Gordeau became a world champion in savate and won the first-ever UFC fight to be broadcast, Tarik Khbabez and Mohamed Touchassie both became Glory light heavyweight world champions, Tony Jas was already a two-time world champion at fifteen, and Naomi Tataroglu became a world champion in The Hague’s Mariahoeve district.

The Hague derbies on the big stage. On May 18, 2024, Michael Boapeah defeated fellow Hague native Serkan Ozcaglayan at Glory at RTM Stage in Rotterdam. At Glory 92 in 2024, five fighters from The Hague were on the card, and according to a Hague-based trainer speaking to Omroep West, people from all over the world come to cities like The Hague to learn the “Dutch Style.”

Martial arts facts

The first-ever UFC victory is from The Hague: Gerard Gordeau
Disguised as a savate fighter: Gerard Gordeau
Royce Gracie in the dojo in The Hague: Royce Gracie
A Hague derby at Glory: Michael Boapeah
Two world champions from The Hague in the same weight class: Tarik Khbabez and Mohamed Touchassie
Hague galas as a springboard: Mohamed Amine
A world title in Mariahoeve: Naomi Tataroglu

FightBase in this city

Clubs and training locations

Training in this city

Technique and coaching. The Hague offers several ways to practice kickboxing. Those who want to learn the sport work on footwork, punches, kicks, and defense. According to a trainer from The Hague speaking to Omroep West, people from all over the world come to cities like The Hague to learn the "Dutch Style."

For recreation or competition. Ask each gym how bag classes, technique classes, and sparring sessions differ, and whether there are separate groups for beginners, youth, and competitive fighters. That way, you can find a class that suits your level and goals.

More than one discipline. Want to combine kickboxing with other martial arts? At dojo Sakura, karate and kickboxing were taught alongside each other, and dojo Kamakura trained champions in various martial arts.

Choose a club

Start with your goal. Do you want to learn kickboxing technique, train for fun, or eventually compete? Ask a gym which classes are intended for beginners, when sparring takes place, and whether you can also train without sparren.

Choose a convenient location. Training regularly is easier when the club fits into your daily routine. So compare not only the atmosphere but also the location and current class schedule. A historic school such as dojo Kamakura on Laan van Poot may have a very different atmosphere from a newer club, even when they both offer kickboxing.

Experience the training for yourself. Ask if you can take a trial class. Pay attention to the trainer’s instructions, how members treat one another, the guidance during contact training, and the condition of the equipment. Choose an environment where you can learn safely and enjoy coming back.

Discover the clubs

FightBase in this city

Athletes with a connection to this city

Gerard Gordeau. From 1978 to 1985, Gerard Gordeau was the Dutch karate champion, and from 1988 to 1991, he was the European savate champion. He also became world champion in savate. In his first fight at UFC 1, the first televised fight in UFC history, he defeated Teila Tuli in 26 seconds. He lost to Royce Gracie in the final.

Tarik Khbabez. Tarik Khbabez, “The Tank,” became Glory interim light heavyweight world champion in 2023 after titleholder Donegi Abena withdrew due to food poisoning. At Glory Collision 7 in December 2024, he defeated Abena by split decision and unified the titles. Before his kickboxing career, he was a firefighter.

Mohamed Touchassie. Mohamed Touchassie won the Glory Collision tournament in Rotterdam in June 2026, becoming world champion at light heavyweight. In the final, he defeated Donovan Wisse by split decision to claim the vacant title.

Michael Boapeah. Michael Boapeah is of Ghanaian descent and challenged Donovan Wisse for the Glory middleweight title. He narrowly lost by split decision.

Serkan Ozcaglayan. Serkan Ozcaglayan was born in The Hague in 1994. He was named Glory’s “Debut of the Year” for 2021.

Henri Hooft. Henri Hooft was born in The Hague in 1969. He later became a well-known coach, including as head coach of the MMA team Kill Cliff FC in the United States.

Tony Jas. At just 15 years old, Tony Jas became a two-time world champion, first in thai boxing and then in kickboxing at up to 54 kg. His father, Tony Jas Sr., was also a successful kickboxer.

Discover the profiles

FightBase in this city

Trainers with a connection to this city

Gerard Gordeau. Gerard Gordeau was born in the Schilderswijk neighborhood and is considered a pioneer and icon in martial arts. He runs Dojo Kamakura with his brothers.

Ron Jung. Ron Jung founded Sakura. Raimond Honig started training under Jung at the age of fourteen and was already an assistant coach by sixteen. Later, as one of the youngest former students, Honig breathed new life into the school.

Maikel Polanen. Maikel Polanen is the trainer of Glory champion Tarik Khbabez. He also coached Michael Boapeah and Jan Kaffa at Glory 92.

Dragon Gym. Dragon Gym is the kickboxing school in The Hague where, among others, Muhammed Simsek fought his first match after four months of training. Serkan Ozcaglayan also trained there in the past.

A caveat. Two of The Hague’s biggest fighters today, Mohamed Touchassie and Serkan Ozcaglayan, train with Mike Passenier, so not in The Hague itself.