The General
The General is a black belt under Raoul Hiwat.
Head instructor
Raoul Hiwat
Raoul Hiwat (Amsterdam, 25-08-1977) is head instructor and founder of AmsterdamBJJ in Amsterdam West. He is a 3rd degree Rickson and Kron Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt and a NOC*NSF nationally recognised Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu trainer/coach.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience
Raoul has practised martial arts from a young age and started Aikido at 18. At 22, after watching the first UFC with Royce Gracie, he went looking for a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school.
In March 2000 he took his first class with Harold Harder in Drunen. He has trained BJJ continuously ever since, travelling to Drunen and later Den Bosch twice a week. He has been teaching since 2007.
BJJ lineage
Rickson Gracie → Harold Harder → Raoul Hiwat → AmsterdamBJJ
AmsterdamBJJ is affiliated with the Rickson Gracie International Jiu-Jitsu Association, led in the Netherlands by Harold Harder.
Training with Rickson Gracie
In 2003 Raoul travelled with Harold Harder to Rickson Gracie's school in Los Angeles to train at the style's main dojo. Since then he returns to the source several times a year for further training, seminars and private lessons with Rickson and Kron Gracie.
Coaching and qualifications
- 3rd degree Rickson and Kron Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt
- NOC*NSF nationally recognised Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu trainer/coach
- Teaching since 2007
Competition experience
- 1x European champion and 2x bronze at the European championships
- 2x Dutch national champion
Teaching at AmsterdamBJJ
That background shapes the classes: a strong focus on fundamentals, position and timing, in Gi and No-Gi, covering both sport BJJ and self-defence. Beginners start in the basics classes and then train alongside the rest of the group.
Assistant instructors
Stephen Andes
Stephen is a brown belt under Raoul Hiwat.
Kay de Lange
Kay is a purple belt under Raoul Hiwat.