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As a child, Eric Van Vaerenbergh was fascinated with Bruce Lee 's energy and fighting spirit.
At just 11 years of age, it was this that motivated him to take up Shotokan Karate with Sensei Eddy Deschacht and his cousins Johnny and Eric at the ( in that time ) famous "Zendokan" Dojo.
Several years later, then a first degree black belt, he began National Service with the Para-Commandos as a non commissioned officer. During his time in the army, Shihan Eric continued his martial arts training, focusing primarily on close quarter combat
Upon completion of his service he resumed his Shotokan (semi/non-contact karate) training. Later, he took up Budokai-do, a full contact, system of Karate based on Kyokushin.
During his twelve years of Budokai-do training under Sensei Saghar Shrestha , Shihan Eric also studied and practised Kickboxing and Muay Thai under Noël Van Den Heuvel , the four times World Muay Thai Champion. In addition, he still studies (Western) Boxing with Patrick Roels , a man who holds a combined record of 173 full contact and boxing matches and also trained several times with former boxing champion Freddy Demeulenaere
Shihan Eric also studied during severals months in 2003 Aikido under Shihan Rudy De Klerck
In that same year he trains under the supervision of the Iranian Kancho Yousef Shirzad , a very noble person who is still now days a personal friend to Shihan Eric.
Since 2003 Shihan Eric studies and practise Brazilian Jiu Jitsu , Grappling and M.M.A. under former Kyokushin champion Sensei Mario D'Hoker connected to BJJ Grandmaster Flavio Behring , a direct student to BJJ founder and legend Helio Gracie
Since 2004 Shihan Eric studies and practise Kyokushin Budokai Allround Fighting (including Judo and Kyokushin) under Kaicho Jon Bluming within the International Budokai Kan or IBK
Shihan Eric is the Dai Shihan (Branch Chief and Country Representative) of the International Budo Kaikan (IBK) in Belgium and the Jimucho (Chairman) of South-East Asia, Africa and the Middle-East of the International Budokai Kan (IBK) worldwide.
The IBK was formed by Kaicho Jon Bluming (10th Dan Kyokushin Karate and 9th Dan Kodokan Judo). All the Ronin Mixed Martial Arts Schools are proud members of Kaicho Blumings Organisation.
Shihan Eric once said of Kaicho Bluming, "If there's one non-Oriental who's worthy of the title of Samurai, it's Kaicho Jon Bluming".
The IBK turns out to be an excellent organisation and Shihan Eric shares and trades all kinds of information concerning Budo with a lot of high ranked black belts, former or present champions and top instructors all over the world, such as:
- Jon Bluming
- Henk Kuipers
- Dave Jonkers
- Raffi Liven
- Joop Reilman
- Bernard Creton
- Jan De Bruin
- Ruud Muller
- Mladen Sancic
- Don Saint
- Lionel Bricnet
- Sem Schilt
- Marc Howes
- Andrea Stoppa
- Pedro Roiz
- Tom Madsen
- Frank Schöller
- Chris Dolman
- Bert Ruhe
- Lucien Carbin
- Tyrone Spong
- Tarik El Idrissi
- Valon Basha
- Peter Verschuren
- Martin Van Emmen
- Gokor Ichichivan
- Ralf Fahrun
In 2007 Shihan Eric visited Japan with the IBK board and trained at the Kyokushin Honbu of Sosai Mas Oyama
In the same year Shihan Eric becomes the responsible person for Team Hardcore Belgium connected to a professional team of topfighters Team Hardcore World , under the supervision of Kancho Henk Kuipers
He also went to Israel, were he trained under Kancho Raffi Liven , a 9th Dan in Shoshindo and Kravmaga Li and also participated succesfully in a special Security trainingcamp for V.I.P. bodyguarding, Undercover missions and Anti-Terrorism under Special Instructor Eli Leffler
In 2008 Shihan Eric Van Vaerenbergh, Patrick Van Acker and Chris De Witte are responsible for the creation of the Kickboxing examination committee of the B.K.B.M.O. (Belgian Kickboxing & Muay Thai Organisation) and the W.K.A. Belgium (World Kickboxing & Karate Association).
At the IBK summercamp 2009, Shihan Eric is unanimously elected to become a full council member of the IBK Black Belt examination committee.
In october 2009 Eric becomes a Certified Muay Thai / Kickboxing & M.M.A. Referee BKBM²O (Belgian Kickboxing & Muay Thai Organisation)
In 1999, as coach of the Belgian National Full Contact Karate Team and with many years experience of running a dojo and practising multiple arts, Eric decided to make training in Mixed Martial Arts available under one roof.
He founded the Ronin Mixed Martial Arts Schools and continues to teach the arts that he considers to be the most effective combination for all round fighting (MMA). These include:
- Kyokushin-Budokai: due to it's focus on tough training practise and endurance.
- English Boxing: to promote proficient guarding of the head.
- Kick Boxing and Muay Thai: providing a logical fusion of Kyokushin and Boxing skills.
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: for excellent ground skills with a Gi (uniform).
- Grappling: for ground skills without a Gi.
- Vale Tudo: "free fight, no rules" the logical result of combining these arts.
Shihan Eric was fed-up of hearing individual styles boasting superiority in the Martial Arts world.
Through the practise and promotion of these Mixed Martial Arts and the success of the Ronin Mixed Martial Arts Schools, Shihan Eric helped demonstrate that All Round Fighting (aka. MMA) is the way forward.
Shihan Eric has gained experience in various styles through championships, competitions, seminars and courses world wide.
He has demonstrated his idea of All Round Fighting the world over (including Japan, Birma, Nepal, Poland, Tibet, Russia, Egypt, Iran, Hungary, Sudan, France, Holland, Germany, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Columbia, Croatia, Albania, Israel and many others).
Eric Van Vaerenbergh's Certificates and Diploms:
- Shodan (First Degree Black Belt) Shotokan Karate
- Nidan (Second Degree Black Belt) Budokai-do
- Sandan (Third Degree Black Belt) Full Contact and Savate
- Nanadan (Seventh Degree Black Belt) Kyokushin-Budokai
- Rokudan (Sixth Degree Black Belt) Kravmaga Li
- Nanadan (Seventh Degree Black Belt) Combat Sambo
- Licensed Instructor: Western Boxing /English Boxing
- Licensed Instructor: Kickboxing
- Licensed Instructor: Muay Thai Black Khan of Honour
- Monitor: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) (Purple belt) and Grappling
- Certified International Kyokushin Budokai Corner Judge (IBK)
- Certified International Kyokushin Budokai Main Judge (IBK)
- Certified Muay Thai / Kickboxing & M.M.A. Referee (BKBM²O)
- Certified Sports Psychologist
- Certified Sports Physiotherapist
- Certified EHBO First Aider
Eric Van Vaerenbergh's National Coach record:
- 988 fights - 872 wins - 43 draws - 73 losses
Eric Van Vaerenbergh's favorite fighters:
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