Mejiro Gym

(Material used by permission of Jeroen Beek)
 

Mejiro Gym - How it all began

On his visit to Japan in 1975, Jan Plas, founder of Mejiro Gym Amsterdam, met with sensei Kurosaki at his dojo in Tokyo. The dojo of Kurosaki was situated in the "Mejiro" district so this is where the name originated from. Jan Plas, impressed by the level of skill at Mejiro Gym Tokyo, decided to stay and train with famous champions like Fujiwara and Shima.

Still impressed by all he experienced in Japan, Jan Plas, together with some other Muay-Thai pioneers, founded the N.K.B.B. (The Dutch Kickboxing Association). Boxing Gym Vermeulen provided accomodations for the newly formed Mejiro Gym Amsterdam. Among the first Mejiro Gym fighters were men like; Lucien Carbin, Johan Vos, Aris Koopman, Bert van Os, Thijs Veldman.

It was 1978 when they all moved to their own location at Lauriergracht 86 in Amsterdam. It was there that the now famous "mejiro style" was further developed and perfected. This resulted in the first of many national and international titles for Mejiro Gym. Muay Thai Kickboxing became more and more popular in Holland. The first big events were hosted at the Jaap Edenhal in Amsterdam and it was in this period that the rivalry between the Amsterdam dojo’s; Mejiro Gym, Vos Gym and Chakuriki started.

In 1982 Rob Kaman became the first world champion WKA kickboxing for Mejiro Gym. In the years after he was followed by; André Brilleman, Fred Royers and Milo el Geubli. They promoted the Mejiro Gym style worldwide, speed and strenght in combination with highly developed techniques, worldwide to stimulate a whole new generation of Mejiro Gym fighters. At the end of the 1980’s Mejiro Gym had their first champions of this new generation. Names such as Mustafa Yamali, Tom van de Berg, André Mannaart and Nina van Roeden still appeal to one’s imagination. Other famous fighters were Leo de Snoo, Iwan Grando, Paul Lamoth and Bob Schreiber.

The 90’s were also very successful for Mejiro Gym. Under the new owner and sensei André Mannaart with wins from Kaman over Hoost, Changpeuk, van de Vathorst, Verheije and the title at K1 in Paris, Mejiro Gym became one of the most famous dojos in the world. Other fighters like Mannaart, van de Berg en de Snoo also contributed to the worldwide success. With the retirement of Kaman, van de Berg and de Snoo it is up to the next generation of fighters to go on in the spirit and tradition of their predecessors. Super talents like Remy Bonjaski, Rodney Faverus, Rogier van der Heijden, Freek Ezechiëls, Lorentz Bults and Donald Brenner are ready to prove their skills in the ring. Under supervision of senseis Mannaart (worldchampion for WKA, WPKL and ISKA), Lamoth and candidate sensei van der Heijden the success story is sure to be continued.....