Loek Hollander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loek Hollander |
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Hollander in 2003
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| Born | 20 May 1938 Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Died | 16 February 2020 (aged 81) Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Style | Kyokushin |
| Notable students | John Reeberg |
Loek Hollander (born May 20, 1938 – died February 16, 2020) was a very important Dutch karate master. He was known for his strength and skill in Kyokushin karate.
Contents
Loek Hollander's Life and Karate Journey
Starting His Karate Training
Loek Hollander began learning Kyokushin Karate in 1962. He worked very hard and quickly became skilled. In 1965, he earned his 1st dan ranking. This is a very important step, showing he had achieved a black belt level.
The Amazing 100-Man Kumite
In 1967, Loek Hollander did something incredible. He completed the 100-man kumite. This is a super tough challenge where a karate fighter faces 100 different opponents in a row. Each fight is short but intense. He was only the fourth person ever to finish this difficult test. It showed his amazing endurance and fighting spirit.
A Leader in Kyokushin Karate
After the founder of Kyokushin, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, passed away, Loek Hollander took on a big role. The new director, Shokei Matsui, asked him to represent Kyokushin in Europe and Africa. This meant he helped guide and grow karate in many countries.
In 1999, Matsui gave Hollander the rank of 8th dan. This made him one of the highest-ranking members in the IKO Kyokushinkaikan. He was an International Committee Member for Europe and Africa. He held this position until August 13, 2010, when he decided to leave the organization.
His Lasting Legacy
In 2014, Loek Hollander was honored for his contributions to martial arts. He was officially added to the CBME's National Hall of Fame. Later, he became the head of the Kyokushin World Federation. He was also given the very high rank of 10th Dan. Shihan Loek Hollander passed away on February 16, 2020. He is remembered as a true legend in the world of karate.
