Jon Bluming facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jon Bluming
Bluming in 1965
Born	Johannes Cornelius Bluming (1933-02-06)6 February 1933 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Died	17 December 2018(2018-12-17) (aged 85) De Bilt, Netherlands
Rank	10th Dan Black Belt in Kyokushin      10th Dan Black Belt in Hapkido      9th Dan Black Belt in Judo
Notable students	Hideyuki Ashihara, Otti Roethof, Azuma Takashi

Johannes Cornelius Bluming (born February 6, 1933 – died December 17, 2018) was a famous Dutch martial artist, teacher, and actor. He was known for being a pioneer in many different martial arts styles. Bluming held very high ranks, including a 9th degree black belt in Judo, a 10th degree black belt in Kyokushinkai Karate, and a 10th degree black belt in Hapkido. He also coached Willem Ruska, who won two Olympic gold medals.

Jon Bluming's Journey

Early Life and Training

Jon Bluming was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He grew up in a Jewish neighborhood during World War II, when the Netherlands was occupied. When he was 13, he started training in Boxing.

At 16, he joined the Marines to find a better life. In 1950, he was sent to Korea during the Korean War. He was wounded twice and had to recover in Tokyo, Japan. There, he saw a Judo demonstration by Kyuzo Mifune and became interested in Asian martial arts. While in Korea, he also trained in Tang Soo Do.

Back in the Netherlands, Bluming started Judo training. He earned his black belt in just three years. In 1956, he became the coach of the Dutch national team, which won the European championships. The next year, he earned his 3rd degree black belt in Judo. He did this by defeating 75 judoka (Judo practitioners) in only 26 minutes! This amazing win led him to teach Judo in Berlin, Germany, and later at Dalhousie University in Canada.

Training in Japan

In 1959, Bluming moved to Tokyo, Japan, to train at the famous Kodokan Institute. He trained with top masters like Toshiro Daigo. He won all his matches there.

While in Japan, he also learned other martial arts. These included Karate, Aikido, Iaijutsu, Bojutsu, and Kendo. He first joined the Shotokan Karate school but soon switched to Kyokushin Karate, which he liked more.

Bluming lived with other famous martial artists, Donn F. Draeger and Robert W. Smith. He earned his 4th degree black belt in Judo by defeating strong opponents like Akio Kaminaga and Isao Inokuma. He also trained to become heavier, going from 176 pounds to 224 pounds. This helped him become even stronger. He once defeated five Judo opponents, each a 3rd degree black belt or higher, in just four seconds!

Return to Europe and Later Life

After his training in Japan, Jon Bluming returned to the Netherlands to teach. He hoped to compete in the 1961 World Judo Championships in Paris. However, the Dutch Judo Association stopped him from joining. Bluming had a disagreement with another Dutch Judo star, Anton Geesink. Bluming challenged Geesink to a fight, but the association prevented it.

Frustrated, Bluming retired from Judo competitions. He then focused on Karate and teaching instead.

In 1965, Bluming made history by becoming the first non-Japanese person to receive a 6th degree black belt in Karate from Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin. Some Asian karatekas (Karate practitioners) questioned this decision. So, Oyama challenged anyone to fight Bluming in a boxing ring. He promised to take away Bluming's black belt if he lost. Only a Korean champion named Kwan Mo Gun accepted the challenge. Bluming quickly knocked him out.

Bluming worked closely with Oyama for a long time. However, he later disagreed with some of Oyama's ideas and left the Kyokushin school. He then started his own school, called Kyokushin Budokai. Even so, he remained a respected figure in the martial arts world. In 1989, he was awarded a 9th degree black belt.

In 1993, Bluming was asked to return as a trainer for a fighting promotion called Fighting Network Rings. He accepted. After Oyama's death in 1994, Bluming was awarded a 10th degree black belt by Kenji Kurosaki.

Jon Bluming passed away on December 17, 2018, in De Bilt, Netherlands.

Famous Students

Jon Bluming taught many students who became very successful martial artists:

• Hideyuki Ashihara - He started his own Karate style called Ashihara Karate.
• Azuma Takashi - He founded a martial art called Daidō Juku Kūdō.
• Chris Dolman - A World Champion in Sambo and a European medalist in Judo.
• Wim Ruska - A World Champion and two-time Olympic Champion in Judo.
• Otti Roethof - A World Champion in Karate.
• Jan Kallenbach - Won gold at the 1974 European Karate Championships.
• Jan Plas - He helped bring Kickboxing to the Netherlands and coached many champions.
• Johan Vos - Also coached many Kickboxing World Champions.
• Lucien Carbin - A Kickboxing World Champion and coach.
• Thom Harinck - A pioneer in Kickboxing and Muay Thai, who coached many champions.
• Semmy Schilt - A champion in K-1, Daidō Juku Kūdō, and mixed martial arts.
• Gilbert Yvel - A mixed martial arts champion.
• Juan Carlos I of Spain - The former King of Spain.

Film Roles

Jon Bluming also appeared in several movies:

Images for kids

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  Bluming (left) at the premiere of his 1973 film Naakt over de schutting.

See also

In Spanish: Jon Bluming para niños