Martial arts legend Jon Bluming has died

It is with sadness that we have learned of the death of martial arts legend Jon Bluming at the age of 85. Jon Bluming was a grandmaster in Japanese martial arts, an actor and a Korean War veteran.

Bluming introduced karate to the Netherlands and to Europe, after having become a karate legend in Japan. During the 1960s he was closely involved in the founding of various federations. He was, for instance, the founder of the Internationale Budokai Kan (IBK). Bluming was the first foreigner to teach karate in the country where the sport originated, and he was an important ambassador for martial arts. He received a number of prestigious distinctions and attained the 10^th dan in Kyokushin karate.

We are grateful to Jon Bluming for his commitment to martial arts and we wish those he leaves behind strength in coming to terms with this loss. The management, the board and the Supervisory Board (Raad van Toezicht) of the Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit (the Dutch Martial Arts Authority) wish his family and loved ones strength in dealing with this loss.