Do you guys have some good Kickboxing events/gyms In Suriname? it would be nice to see some pure Surinamese (aka not dutch guys) guys joining WGP.
Well it's more complicated then that tbh.
Suriname is a former colony from Holland. Very low population. The capital Paramaribo has approx 250k habitants. There are more suriname people in Holland then in Suriname.(no joke). Almost all Suriname people have strong connection with Holland, Dutch is still the main language for example. So pure Suriname without Dutch influence is almost impossible to find
There a thread about Michelle Obama saying some stuff bout black people ect. Lots of things being said bout black people race ect. Seems that violence in general is a thing we are just more familiar with. Because, to be clear, it's almost impossible to be Surinamese and NOT have mixed blood of Jews indians Brasil, Hindu Chinese Indonesia ect.Pure black is something that doesn't exist though it may look like that for somebody from the outside. Very comparable to Afro Americans and obviously a heritage from slavery.
I mention this because it is kinda 'strange ' there are so many suriname champs. Think the main factor is the Dutch technical analytical approach and good facilities mixed with the more violent culture we grew up in.
In Suriname you won't find worldclass gyms or tournaments. We are basically a third world country like most countries in South America.
Badr Hari is a great example. He reps Marocco but grew up and trained in Amsterdam. Why he does that is some deeper shit. It's a mixture of hard living and great coaching, because you won't as many Maroc champs from Marocco it self.
Some Suriname famous champs from the top of my head:
Overeem, bonjaski, hoost, hyppolyte, Simpson, Balrack, Manhoef, Zimmerman, balentine, Groenhart. Spong I forget many.