Chakuriki Gym

Chakuriki Gym was founded in 1972 by Thom Harinck, who originally began teaching his own style named "Chakuriki", a mixture of techniques from boxing, Kyokushin karate, judo, jujutsu and wrestling.[1] Chakuriki later became a kickboxing gym as Harinck added Muay Thai and Savate to his repertoire. In 1978, fighters from Chakuriki became the first Dutch to fight at Lumpini Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.[2]

During the late 1970s, despite their respective founders being both of the Jon Bluming lineage, Chakuriki became rivals of Mejiro Gym. While the Chakuriki fighters were known for their mental and physical toughness, Mejiro's had a reputation for their technical style. Kickboxing competitions were held regularly in the Jaap Edenhal Arena in Amsterdam and both Mejiro and Chakuriki fighters established themselves as the best in the country. This rivalry helped raise the standard of Dutch kickboxing and spawned some of the best fighters of the era. The 1980s and early 1990s saw a new generation of kickboxers rise from Chakuriki such as Peter Aerts and Branko Cikatić who helped form the history of K-1.

Harinck announced his retirement in April 2013 at the age of sixty-nine.[3][4]

• Official website