Martial arts world mourns death of legendary kickboxer Rob Kaman: “You were way ahead of your time”

The martial arts world mourns the death of legendary kickboxer Rob Kaman. The Amsterdammer died on Sunday at the age of 63. He won nine world titles in kickboxing and Thai boxing. Kaman is called a pioneer of kickboxing and was feared for his low kicks. “You are the founder of the Dutch kickboxing style. You were way ahead of your time,” Rico Verhoeven writes on Instagram.

The Amsterdammer achieved many successes in the 80s and 90s. He was the first European to win the world title in 1983 when he defeated American John Moncayo in the Jaap Edenhal. Of the 112 official matches, Kaman won 97, of which by far the most, 77 by knockout. He was mainly feared for his lowkick, a hard kick against the opponent’s thigh.

Founder

Several big names in the kickboxing world have responded to the death of the Amsterdammer, including Rico Verhoeven: “Rest in peace legendary Rob Kaman,” the kickboxer writes on Instagram. “You are the founder of the Dutch kickboxing style. You were way ahead of your time.”

Former opponent Ernesto Hoost also reflected on Kaman’s death. Hoost faced Kaman twice in the early years of his career. Hoost lost both of those two games. “Fighting with you makes me realize what it takes to reach the top. Thank you for that,” he wrote on social media.