Introduction :
It's surprising that a so little pacifist and rich country provides a such large number of fighting champions. Although since the eighties, the current champions are often from immigrant backgrounds, Netherlands continue to be the best in these sports.
The purpose of this article is to narrate the beginnings of martial arts with KO, until 1980, and determine the reasons for this success.
At the end of this article is compiled a list of major competitions held by the Batavian fighters and their results.
History :
It is very difficult to match the claims of interested persons and the reality.
We will base our text on the excellent document called "De verharding van het wedstrijdvechten" (unofficial translation : The Hardening of Sport Fights) by Maarten van Bottenburg and Johan Heilbron, investigating for the Ministerie VWS (free translation : Ministry for Health, Welfare and Sport). This document is available on Internet at this address : hbo-kennisbank.uvt.nl/cgi/fontys/show.cgi? Fid = 3637.
We will also refer on various newspaper articles of the time, quoted in the text.
Furthermore, we will mention the contradictions between the various versions of the events.
A character of legend :
Jon Bluming was born in 1933. He fought at least 1 boxing fight, circa in 1946, then joined the army and was sent to Korea during the war, in 1950. He learned Judo, Karate Kyokushinkai with Mas Oyama and various other martial arts, during his stays in Asia.
He returned to the Netherlands in 1953 and taught in a club named Jen Tung. Jon Bluming says he was part of the team winning the European Championship of Judo in September 1956, in Amsterdam. We note that no European Championship were held in 1956. In 1957, the Championships were held in Rotterdam and Bluming name does not appear on the record, nor in other European or World Championships. Maybe Jon Bluming's team took part in a Club European Championships.
Bluming, 6'5'' for 220 pounds, claims to have beaten the famous Japanese Kaminaga, via a strangulation, in May 1960. In a December 1966 Black-Belt Magazine article, he claims to have beaten Kaminaga at the Kodokan in 1961, during a workout.
It's surprising that a so little pacifist and rich country provides a such large number of fighting champions. Although since the eighties, the current champions are often from immigrant backgrounds, Netherlands continue to be the best in these sports.
The purpose of this article is to narrate the beginnings of martial arts with KO, until 1980, and determine the reasons for this success.
At the end of this article is compiled a list of major competitions held by the Batavian fighters and their results.
History :
It is very difficult to match the claims of interested persons and the reality.
We will base our text on the excellent document called "De verharding van het wedstrijdvechten" (unofficial translation : The Hardening of Sport Fights) by Maarten van Bottenburg and Johan Heilbron, investigating for the Ministerie VWS (free translation : Ministry for Health, Welfare and Sport). This document is available on Internet at this address : hbo-kennisbank.uvt.nl/cgi/fontys/show.cgi? Fid = 3637.
We will also refer on various newspaper articles of the time, quoted in the text.
Furthermore, we will mention the contradictions between the various versions of the events.
A character of legend :
Jon Bluming was born in 1933. He fought at least 1 boxing fight, circa in 1946, then joined the army and was sent to Korea during the war, in 1950. He learned Judo, Karate Kyokushinkai with Mas Oyama and various other martial arts, during his stays in Asia.
He returned to the Netherlands in 1953 and taught in a club named Jen Tung. Jon Bluming says he was part of the team winning the European Championship of Judo in September 1956, in Amsterdam. We note that no European Championship were held in 1956. In 1957, the Championships were held in Rotterdam and Bluming name does not appear on the record, nor in other European or World Championships. Maybe Jon Bluming's team took part in a Club European Championships.
Bluming, 6'5'' for 220 pounds, claims to have beaten the famous Japanese Kaminaga, via a strangulation, in May 1960. In a December 1966 Black-Belt Magazine article, he claims to have beaten Kaminaga at the Kodokan in 1961, during a workout.
Jon Bluming, during a Judo training session at the Kodokan
Bluming is not participating in the World Championships in Paris, in December 1961. His Dutch rival, Anton Geesink, won the gold medal.
According to the January 1969 Black-Belt Magazine article, Bluming was from a federation called "Nederland Amateur Judo Associatie" and Geesink from the "Nederland Jujitsu and Judo Bond". Bluming said that Geesink had refused to meet him on a tatami and only fighters from the Geesink's Federation could participate in international championships.
Bluming has coached Willem Ruska, 1972 Olympic and 1967 and 1971 World Champion.
Bluming founded a Kyokushinkai Federation in January 1962 and runs various championships.
In January 1965, Bluming have received a 6th dan from Mas Oyama, in Kyokushinkai. Oyama would have promise USD 100,000 .-- for the winner of Bluming, and also promise to withdraw his black belt from Bluming for this futur defeat.
Currently, Bluming is a 10th dan black belt in Kyokushinkai and a 9th dan in Judo.
In karate, he coached Jan Plas, Tom Harinck and Jan Kallenbach. Kallenbach began with Judo, always with Jon Bluming as a professor. Kallenbach won the 1974 gold medal at the European Championships of Traditional Karate, in the Open Category, against the Francis Didier.
According to the January 1969 Black-Belt Magazine article, Bluming was from a federation called "Nederland Amateur Judo Associatie" and Geesink from the "Nederland Jujitsu and Judo Bond". Bluming said that Geesink had refused to meet him on a tatami and only fighters from the Geesink's Federation could participate in international championships.
Bluming has coached Willem Ruska, 1972 Olympic and 1967 and 1971 World Champion.
Bluming founded a Kyokushinkai Federation in January 1962 and runs various championships.
In January 1965, Bluming have received a 6th dan from Mas Oyama, in Kyokushinkai. Oyama would have promise USD 100,000 .-- for the winner of Bluming, and also promise to withdraw his black belt from Bluming for this futur defeat.
Currently, Bluming is a 10th dan black belt in Kyokushinkai and a 9th dan in Judo.
In karate, he coached Jan Plas, Tom Harinck and Jan Kallenbach. Kallenbach began with Judo, always with Jon Bluming as a professor. Kallenbach won the 1974 gold medal at the European Championships of Traditional Karate, in the Open Category, against the Francis Didier.
Jan Kallenbach (left) in 1972
Tom Harinck :
Born in 1943, Tom Harinck begins with judo and boxing during his time in the army, with 22 amateur fights, for only 1 loss on points. He works on a boat and discovers the Savate French boxing.
Harinck trains with Jon Bluming in Kyokushinkai. He says he got a 6th dan in Kyokushinkai. Harinck acknowledged in an interview that Bluming was giving belts too easily.
In 1972, Harinck began teaching the fight science in his team named Chakuriki (in Japanese, this word would mean "The power derived from"). His fighters are known among others, for their red kimono.
In 1975, the Chakuriki team meets a Savate French boxing team, in Paris. We don't know the results of the fights. The details of these fighters are mentioned in the list below.
Born in 1943, Tom Harinck begins with judo and boxing during his time in the army, with 22 amateur fights, for only 1 loss on points. He works on a boat and discovers the Savate French boxing.
Harinck trains with Jon Bluming in Kyokushinkai. He says he got a 6th dan in Kyokushinkai. Harinck acknowledged in an interview that Bluming was giving belts too easily.
In 1972, Harinck began teaching the fight science in his team named Chakuriki (in Japanese, this word would mean "The power derived from"). His fighters are known among others, for their red kimono.
In 1975, the Chakuriki team meets a Savate French boxing team, in Paris. We don't know the results of the fights. The details of these fighters are mentioned in the list below.
Tom Harinck (right)
From the French Karate Magazine
From the French Karate Magazine
The same year, Harinck received his diplom of Savate french boxing professor, from the the French Federation. In 1976, he founded the NKBB (Nederlands kickboxing Bond), with Jan Plas.
The first kick-boxing fights are held in Netherlands in 1976 and are detailed in the results list below.
Invited in August 1978 in Thailand, the Chakuriki team loses its 5 fights against the Thais. The details are mentioned later. The fighters are coming back in Holland, but Tom Harinck stayed in Thailand to learn the Muay-Thai.
Teams of Thai boxers are also coming to the Netherlands to be confronted with Chakuriki.
The first kick-boxing fights are held in Netherlands in 1976 and are detailed in the results list below.
Invited in August 1978 in Thailand, the Chakuriki team loses its 5 fights against the Thais. The details are mentioned later. The fighters are coming back in Holland, but Tom Harinck stayed in Thailand to learn the Muay-Thai.
Teams of Thai boxers are also coming to the Netherlands to be confronted with Chakuriki.
Four Chakuriki logosNote the graphic changing between this four Chakuriki logos. On the two last version, fighting dogs are with an olive branch (peace logo). On the last version, the name of Shihan (Professor or Model in Japanese) has disappeared. The term Savate has been changed with the term Free-Fight.
Tom Harinck has published a book in 1980, called "De ontleende kracht". The free translation can be "The borrowed strengh", maybe a synonym of the Japanese term Chakuriki. Harinck has published a second book, named "Muay Thai or Thai Boxing". He has also published a training video, named "Born to Fight". Short video from this edition : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kfa3rbgiZ0
Tom Harinck's book
Without wishing to become people, we report that in the June 1991 Black Belt Magazine article, Tom Harinck is mentioned as the husband of Saskia Van Rijswijk, famous Dutch fighter woman, in the 1980s. The latter fought against the also famous Lilly Rodriguez, in 1982 (see article over Benny Urquidez).
Saskia Van Rijswijk and Tom Harinck
Jan Plas :
Jan Plas practices first Karate Kyokushinkai with Jon Bluming.
For the European Championships of Traditional Karate in 1974 in London, Jan Plas loses before the final against Geert Leemens/Belgium, in the middleweights.
At the same time, Jan Plas has trained with Tom Harinck, in his Dojo, as seen on this picture.
In 1975, Jan Plas visited Tokyo and trained in the Kenji Kurosaki dojo. Kurosaki is a former Kyokushinkai practitioner with Mas Oyama. Kurosaki founded his own fighting style called kickboxing. Kurosaki is related with Jon Bluming and has taught with him in Holland. They have writen together a book about the Karate Kuykushinkai. Kurosaki's Dojo is named Mejiro Gym, given its location in the district of the same name.
The similarity of evolution between Dutch and Japanese Kyokushinkai practitioners is interresting, with this move towards more complete and effective practices.
Back in the Netherlands, Jan Plas founded his own Mejiro Gym.
Jan Plas practices first Karate Kyokushinkai with Jon Bluming.
For the European Championships of Traditional Karate in 1974 in London, Jan Plas loses before the final against Geert Leemens/Belgium, in the middleweights.
At the same time, Jan Plas has trained with Tom Harinck, in his Dojo, as seen on this picture.
Tom Harinck (left) and Jan Plas
In 1975, Jan Plas visited Tokyo and trained in the Kenji Kurosaki dojo. Kurosaki is a former Kyokushinkai practitioner with Mas Oyama. Kurosaki founded his own fighting style called kickboxing. Kurosaki is related with Jon Bluming and has taught with him in Holland. They have writen together a book about the Karate Kuykushinkai. Kurosaki's Dojo is named Mejiro Gym, given its location in the district of the same name.
The similarity of evolution between Dutch and Japanese Kyokushinkai practitioners is interresting, with this move towards more complete and effective practices.
Back in the Netherlands, Jan Plas founded his own Mejiro Gym.
January Plas (right), vs Platje in 1976.
The referee is Tom Harinck
The referee is Tom Harinck
Shortly after the Chakuriki journey in Thailand, the Mejiro Gym will also travel to Thailand to confront with the Thai fighters.
Jan Plas was the professor for Fred Royer, Lucien Carbin, Rob Kaman, Andre Brilleman and Johan Vos, who will found later the famous Vos Gym. We only mention these fighters, because they will have their golden days after 1980, deadline for the period studied here.
The first Dutch performance :
May 17, 1974. during the first tournament of the European professional karate, organized in Berlin by Georg Bruckner (see article: Professional Karate Debuts in Europe), the Dutch are present. In the heavyweights, Frank Brodar/Germany or Yugoslavia, def Ivan Oliviari/Netherlands. The winners will fight against the American selection in Los Angeles (see article: Los Angeles 09.14.1974).
The same day, some European fighters are opposed to an US selection, still with points fights. The American fighters wear protections, while the Europeans are not fitted. In the heavyweights, Jim Butin beats Ivan Oliviari, surrogate for the European Champion, Franc Brodar, injured at his hand.
The US team also visits Holland, at a meeting organized by Jan Stoker, in The Hague. The US fighters first beat a Dutch Taekwondo team, by 25/0.
The Americans also beat a Dutch Kyokushinkai team, composed of practitioners of a rank below the black belt. It has been proposed to the Dutch to fight black belts from their school, but Peter Kredijt, Kyokushinkai team leader, reportedly replied that the Americans were not fighters and that the black belts were too strong for them.
After some hesitation, Peter Kredijt accepts a challenge from Jeff Smith. Kredijt is then sent to the canvas three times, for the count.
1975. Meeting with Savate French boxing in Paris (possibly at the Meridien Hotel) between a Chakuriki team and French fighters. Robbie Harinck, Ron Kuyt, Gerard Bakker, Jan Kunst and Jhon de Ruyter have participated in these fights, but we don't know their results.
Jan Plas was the professor for Fred Royer, Lucien Carbin, Rob Kaman, Andre Brilleman and Johan Vos, who will found later the famous Vos Gym. We only mention these fighters, because they will have their golden days after 1980, deadline for the period studied here.
The first Dutch performance :
May 17, 1974. during the first tournament of the European professional karate, organized in Berlin by Georg Bruckner (see article: Professional Karate Debuts in Europe), the Dutch are present. In the heavyweights, Frank Brodar/Germany or Yugoslavia, def Ivan Oliviari/Netherlands. The winners will fight against the American selection in Los Angeles (see article: Los Angeles 09.14.1974).
The same day, some European fighters are opposed to an US selection, still with points fights. The American fighters wear protections, while the Europeans are not fitted. In the heavyweights, Jim Butin beats Ivan Oliviari, surrogate for the European Champion, Franc Brodar, injured at his hand.
The US team also visits Holland, at a meeting organized by Jan Stoker, in The Hague. The US fighters first beat a Dutch Taekwondo team, by 25/0.
The Americans also beat a Dutch Kyokushinkai team, composed of practitioners of a rank below the black belt. It has been proposed to the Dutch to fight black belts from their school, but Peter Kredijt, Kyokushinkai team leader, reportedly replied that the Americans were not fighters and that the black belts were too strong for them.
After some hesitation, Peter Kredijt accepts a challenge from Jeff Smith. Kredijt is then sent to the canvas three times, for the count.
1975. Meeting with Savate French boxing in Paris (possibly at the Meridien Hotel) between a Chakuriki team and French fighters. Robbie Harinck, Ron Kuyt, Gerard Bakker, Jan Kunst and Jhon de Ruyter have participated in these fights, but we don't know their results.
Jhon de Ruyter (right), 1975 in Paris
during combat in Savate
during combat in Savate
September 21, 1975. At the Deutschlandarena Berlin, a tournament called the European All Style Karate Championships is organized by Bruckner and Mike Anderson, the latter engaged in the production of the event (see article: Full-Contact Development in Europe). It's possible that the Dutch Jan Kunst and Ron Kuyt have won at this tournament?
1976. In an interview given to a German newspaper named Karate Budo, Tom Harinck mentions that in 1976 in Schiedam, Kuyt, De Graaf and Kunst became Europe Champions, possibly in Kick-Boxing or Full Contact ? We found no trace of this European Championship.
May 2, 1976. At Gelsenkirchen, Germany, a tournament called full-contact European Championship is held. (see article: Full-Contact Development in Europe). In the 63-69 kg category, the French Roger Paschy, former member of the Frech Traditional Karate team, won this tournament. He defeated first the Jhon de Ruyter by ko. The appointed Kuyj is mentioned as the 3rd in this category. It could be Ron Kuyt.
The Dutch V.D. Velden (-90.5 kg), and Tuhirima (-63k) finish 1st and 3rd respectively, in their weight classes.
May 31, 1976. A first kick-boxing gala is held in Amsterdam between the Chakuriki and the Mejiro Gym.
We found an article published in Germany, stating the following fights :
De Ruyter (Chakuriki) beats R. Janson (Mejiro) by ko in the 2nd
W. Galenlamp (Mejiro) beats A. Ekkelsoom on points
T. Severs (Chakuriki) beats RW Leedeman by ko in the 2nd
R. Kuyt (Chakuriki) beats J. Boom by ko in the 3rd
January Plas (Mejiro) beats G. Platje by ko in the 2nd
E. Cairo (Mejiro) beats F. Karakus (Chakuriki) on points
G. Bakker (Chakuriki) beats J. (Johan?) Vos (Mejiro) by ko
Groningen (Mejiro) def Rompa (Chakuriki) by disqualification
Cabin (Lucien Carbin?) (Mejiro) def Harinck (Chakuriki) by kot
Ladenius (Mejiro) beats C. Brugman by kot
1976. In an interview given to a German newspaper named Karate Budo, Tom Harinck mentions that in 1976 in Schiedam, Kuyt, De Graaf and Kunst became Europe Champions, possibly in Kick-Boxing or Full Contact ? We found no trace of this European Championship.
May 2, 1976. At Gelsenkirchen, Germany, a tournament called full-contact European Championship is held. (see article: Full-Contact Development in Europe). In the 63-69 kg category, the French Roger Paschy, former member of the Frech Traditional Karate team, won this tournament. He defeated first the Jhon de Ruyter by ko. The appointed Kuyj is mentioned as the 3rd in this category. It could be Ron Kuyt.
The Dutch V.D. Velden (-90.5 kg), and Tuhirima (-63k) finish 1st and 3rd respectively, in their weight classes.
May 31, 1976. A first kick-boxing gala is held in Amsterdam between the Chakuriki and the Mejiro Gym.
We found an article published in Germany, stating the following fights :
De Ruyter (Chakuriki) beats R. Janson (Mejiro) by ko in the 2nd
W. Galenlamp (Mejiro) beats A. Ekkelsoom on points
T. Severs (Chakuriki) beats RW Leedeman by ko in the 2nd
R. Kuyt (Chakuriki) beats J. Boom by ko in the 3rd
January Plas (Mejiro) beats G. Platje by ko in the 2nd
E. Cairo (Mejiro) beats F. Karakus (Chakuriki) on points
G. Bakker (Chakuriki) beats J. (Johan?) Vos (Mejiro) by ko
Groningen (Mejiro) def Rompa (Chakuriki) by disqualification
Cabin (Lucien Carbin?) (Mejiro) def Harinck (Chakuriki) by kot
Ladenius (Mejiro) beats C. Brugman by kot
Jan Plas, left, during the 1st gala kick-boxing,
in 1976, vs Platje
in 1976, vs Platje
If we make the total of the fights between these two schools, we arrive at 2 wins for Chakuriki and 3 wins for Mejiro Gym.
(For all Championships and Cups WAKO mentioned later, see the articles: First WAKO World Championships and First WAKO European Championships).
April or May 1977. During the first WAKO European Cup, which takes place in Rotterdam/Netherlands, the welterweights final is between George Metz/Netherlands and Slobodan Soboda/Yugoslavia. The light-heavyweights final is between Gerard Bakker/Netherlands and Lip Van de Meer/Netherlands. Hansi Jaensch/West Germany loses against Ivan Menes/Netherlands in the super lightweights final. The Dutch dominated the tournament.
1977. At the 1st European Championships, held by Georg Bruckner in Vienna/Austria, the Dutch obtained the following results : Gold medals : Jan de Graf (+ 84 kg), Gerard Bakker (- 84 kg), H. Rompa in (- 79 kg), Ron Kuyt (- 69 kg). The Netherlands team is ahead of West Germany and Norway.
(For all Championships and Cups WAKO mentioned later, see the articles: First WAKO World Championships and First WAKO European Championships).
April or May 1977. During the first WAKO European Cup, which takes place in Rotterdam/Netherlands, the welterweights final is between George Metz/Netherlands and Slobodan Soboda/Yugoslavia. The light-heavyweights final is between Gerard Bakker/Netherlands and Lip Van de Meer/Netherlands. Hansi Jaensch/West Germany loses against Ivan Menes/Netherlands in the super lightweights final. The Dutch dominated the tournament.
1977. At the 1st European Championships, held by Georg Bruckner in Vienna/Austria, the Dutch obtained the following results : Gold medals : Jan de Graf (+ 84 kg), Gerard Bakker (- 84 kg), H. Rompa in (- 79 kg), Ron Kuyt (- 69 kg). The Netherlands team is ahead of West Germany and Norway.
October 1977. At the 2nd European Cup held in Vienna/Austria, the German lightweight Hans Jaensch beats R. Harinck on points. During the preliminary fights, Kemal Zeriat beats the Dutch Ron Kuyt. Zeriat had lost against him twice before. The Germans dominate the tournament.
August 1978. A Chakuriki team gwent to Bangkok, to fight against Thai boxers. The Thais names are phonetic.
Pasal Sittiboonlert beats Ron Kuyt by ko in the 2nd
Sakata Porntawe beats Robby Harinck by ko in 1st round
Sriprae Kiatsompob def Imro Van Hattan by ko 1st
Satanfah Sor Pratiep beats Faisal Karakus by ko in the 2nd
Ekachai Sitmorart beats K. Ramikisoen by ko 1st
Article about the 1978 Chakuriki journey in ThailandMay 1978. During the 2nd European Championships, held in Wolfsburg/West Germany, possibly by Georg Bruckner, Ivan Menes (-63 kg) won the gold medal. For teams, West Germany is ahead of the Netherlands and Yugoslavia.
December 1978. At the 3rd European Cup, which takes place in Basel/Switzerland, a month after the WC of Berlin, Ivan Menes wins the category -63 kg.
1979. During the 3rd European Championships, held in Milan/Italy by Ennio Falsoni, Roufs won the bronze medal - 79 kg.
November 5, 1978. During the first WAKO World Championships in West Berlin, Ivan Menes won the gold medal of the -63 kg category. The US team is first, followed by West Germany and the Dominican Republic, Netherlands are only 4th.
February 25, 1979. In Amsterdam, Patrick Brizon/France beats Ron Kyut for the European kick-boxing title .
3 and November 4, 1979. During the 2nd WAKO World Championships in Tampa/Florida/USA, organized by Mike Anderson, F. Okkonowiak won the bronze medal for the category - 79 kg.
1980. Ron Kuyt loses against Andre Brilleman in kick-boxing before the limit. We will not mention the whole career of Andre Brilleman, which will have a final record of 16-1-1 and beat Howard Jackson in 1984 for the WKA title (see the article on Howard Jackson). Link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HepnXZ-2h-4
Date unknown (before 1978). Amsterdam. A Thai team led by Roger Paschy/France (see the article : Roger Paschy), met the Dutch team. All Thais lose before the limit. Lucien Carbin wins in the 2nd round. Harrinck wins his fight too. Ron Kuyt beats Roger Paschy by retirement for an injury, at the beginning of the 2nd round.
Date unknown (after 1976). Amsterdam. Frans Otten Stadion. A match between Thai boxers against a Dutch selection. All Batavian fighters win their fight, Lucien Carbin vs Srinop, Ron Kuyt vs S. Boonlod, Faisal Karakus vs S. Sangsrithong and Andre Brilleman vs C. Topruska (according to the pub for the meeting). We note that there is a video of a fight between Brilleman and Boonlod, date 4/7/1979. We don't know if this is the same night. Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WacrCyTYhCI
Date unknown (during an evening fight with Dominique Valera and after the fight above mentionned). Ron Kuyt beats Kamel Zeriat/Germany on points and Bakker beats François Petitdemange/France, also on points.
Conclusions :
We see a clear affiliation between Kyokushinkai imported in Holland by Jon Bluming and its legs kicks, with the evolution of its practitioners to kick-boxing with its low-kicks or to Muay Thai, with its knees and elbows kicks, sometimes allowed.
The Dutch have started to practice kick-boxing before the arrival of full-contact in Europe, their first success could be explained by this advance.
Please note that the Dutch fighters dominated full-contact, kick-boxing, Savate French boxing as Thai-boxing.
Moreover, competition between Tom Harinck and Jan Plas, and Johan Vos after 1980, may also explain a part of the Dutch success.
December 1978. At the 3rd European Cup, which takes place in Basel/Switzerland, a month after the WC of Berlin, Ivan Menes wins the category -63 kg.
1979. During the 3rd European Championships, held in Milan/Italy by Ennio Falsoni, Roufs won the bronze medal - 79 kg.
November 5, 1978. During the first WAKO World Championships in West Berlin, Ivan Menes won the gold medal of the -63 kg category. The US team is first, followed by West Germany and the Dominican Republic, Netherlands are only 4th.
February 25, 1979. In Amsterdam, Patrick Brizon/France beats Ron Kyut for the European kick-boxing title .
3 and November 4, 1979. During the 2nd WAKO World Championships in Tampa/Florida/USA, organized by Mike Anderson, F. Okkonowiak won the bronze medal for the category - 79 kg.
1980. Ron Kuyt loses against Andre Brilleman in kick-boxing before the limit. We will not mention the whole career of Andre Brilleman, which will have a final record of 16-1-1 and beat Howard Jackson in 1984 for the WKA title (see the article on Howard Jackson). Link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HepnXZ-2h-4
Date unknown (before 1978). Amsterdam. A Thai team led by Roger Paschy/France (see the article : Roger Paschy), met the Dutch team. All Thais lose before the limit. Lucien Carbin wins in the 2nd round. Harrinck wins his fight too. Ron Kuyt beats Roger Paschy by retirement for an injury, at the beginning of the 2nd round.
Date unknown (after 1976). Amsterdam. Frans Otten Stadion. A match between Thai boxers against a Dutch selection. All Batavian fighters win their fight, Lucien Carbin vs Srinop, Ron Kuyt vs S. Boonlod, Faisal Karakus vs S. Sangsrithong and Andre Brilleman vs C. Topruska (according to the pub for the meeting). We note that there is a video of a fight between Brilleman and Boonlod, date 4/7/1979. We don't know if this is the same night. Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WacrCyTYhCI
Date unknown (during an evening fight with Dominique Valera and after the fight above mentionned). Ron Kuyt beats Kamel Zeriat/Germany on points and Bakker beats François Petitdemange/France, also on points.
Conclusions :
We see a clear affiliation between Kyokushinkai imported in Holland by Jon Bluming and its legs kicks, with the evolution of its practitioners to kick-boxing with its low-kicks or to Muay Thai, with its knees and elbows kicks, sometimes allowed.
The Dutch have started to practice kick-boxing before the arrival of full-contact in Europe, their first success could be explained by this advance.
Please note that the Dutch fighters dominated full-contact, kick-boxing, Savate French boxing as Thai-boxing.
Moreover, competition between Tom Harinck and Jan Plas, and Johan Vos after 1980, may also explain a part of the Dutch success.
David Crosby and Graham Nash, from the famous group Crosby, Still, Nash and Young, made the music. 
France team
Jhoon Rhee in action
Against Joe Lewis (left) 
Guzman against Kim
