Kickboxing in Utrecht

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Introduction

History of this sport

Lloyd van Dams and Utrecht. Lloyd van Dams was born in Suriname in 1972, came to the Netherlands at the age of seven, and grew up in Utrecht. From 1984 to 1992, he trained at SWSU under Jan Vleesenbeek. His career is a documented link to Utrecht kickboxing in the 1980s.

Gyms as pillars of the sport. SB Gym, run by Said el Badaoui, and The Colosseum Gym in Overvecht have an important place in the recent history of Utrecht kickboxing. They combine coaching competitive fighters with training for recreationalists.

GLORY in Utrecht. GLORY 65 took place in Utrecht on May 17, 2019. GLORY 75 followed at Central Studios on February 29, 2020. DUIC described the event as confirmation that kickboxing is thriving in the city.

Local connections

From neighborhood to world stage. Ilias Ennahachi connects Kanaleneiland with international titles, while The Colosseum Gym supports both competitive fighters and young people from Overvecht. SB Gym is a Utrecht training venue for fighters such as Donegi Abena and, from 2021 to 2022, Badr Hari.

Sport and social support. The Colosseum Gym works with the Municipality of Utrecht to help young people change their behavior. The sports instructor training program links sport to a possible career path.

Martial arts facts

Never knock out: Lloyd van Dams
Sportsman of the Year: Ilias Ennahachi
GLORY 75 in Utrecht: February 29, 2020
World champion five minutes from home: Jahfarr Wilnis
Orange family: Jahfarr Wilnis
His own school around the age of twenty: Ilias Ennahachi
Road to ONE in Utrecht: March 2022

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Clubs and training locations

Training in this city

Recreational or competition-focused. Decide whether you mainly want to learn technique, work on your fitness, or prepare for competitions in Utrecht. Ask how a gym supports beginners and which classes suit your goal.

Technique and contact training. Discuss how punches, kicks, footwork, and defense are taught. Ask whether sparren is part of the class, how intense the contact is, and what protective gear is needed.

Choose a club

Compare coaching and classes. SB Gym and The Colosseum Gym each have a place in Utrecht’s kickboxing scene. Compare their current classes, class times, accessibility, and coaching before you choose.

Try a class. Ask about a trial class and pay attention to the trainer’s instructions, how members interact, and the rules around sparren. A well-known champion is interesting, but your goals and a suitable training environment matter more.

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Athletes with a connection to this city

Ilias Ennahachi. Ennahachi was born and raised in Kanaleneiland. In 2019, he became world champion at ONE Championship, after already winning world titles at three other organizations. In 2023, he gave up his ONE title because he could no longer safely make the 61.2 kg weight limit.

Donegi ‘Silverback’ Abena. The fighter, born in Paramaribo, became GLORY light heavyweight champion twice and also won an eight-man tournament. After losing his title fight against Tarik Khbabez in December 2024, he announced his retirement. In 2026, he switched to MMA with the PFL.

Lloyd ‘The Tornado’ van Dams (1972–2021). Van Dams became world champion twice and also European and Dutch champion. He fought, among others, Peter Aerts, Semmy Schilt and Remy Bonjasky.

Jahfarr Wilnis. According to UStad, Wilnis became world heavyweight kickboxing champion at the age of 40 in 2026. He won the title in Lombok, a five-minute walk from his home, after which his sons were allowed to put the belt on him. The source does not state which organization he won the title with.

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Trainers with a connection to this city

Said el Badaoui and SB Gym. El Badaoui was born in Nador, moved to the Netherlands at the age of two and has lived in Utrecht since 2004. He discovered kickboxing at the age of fourteen. At SB Gym on Savannahweg, he coached Badr Hari from 2021 to 2022. Donegi Abena also trains with him.

Daan Kortland and Danny de Vries. The cousins run The Colosseum Gym in Overvecht. The gym works with the municipality of Utrecht to support young people and offers a program that trains young people to become ROC-certified sports instructors over two years. Tyjani Beztati trained here from 2017 to 2020.

Lloyd van Dams as a gym owner. In 2006, Van Dams opened his own gym in De Meern: Fight Club Van Dams. This marked a new chapter in his career as a fighter, as he began coaching others.