Yesterday, through SportheldenOpSchool and gym teacher (and also taekwondo teacher) Hamza Koubia and gym teacher Wessel, I was able to provide three clinics at the OnzeWereld primary school in The Hague. This brought about taekwondo to around 60 pupils from group 6, group 7A and 7B. It was great to experience the enthusiasm of the children. In turn, they inspire me with their positive energy. Not only was it great to see the youth practicing your passionate sport, but you also contribute to the vision of a healthier lifestyle with sufficient exercise. My sincere wish is to keep them this positive energy and health that they showed me yesterday for as long as possible.

Thanks to SportheldenOpSchool and the representatives of the OnzeWereld primary school!

Finally Back on the Mat

After a long time away from the international stage, this past weekend I finally made my return to the mat. It felt almost surreal — yet completely familiar. The tension in the arena, the bright lights, the buzz of the crowd, and the voice over the speakers — everything fell right back into place.

After a successful weigh-in on Friday, I stepped into my first match on Saturday against Malaysia. It was a tight and intense fight that ended in a draw, but I managed to secure the win in the extra round. Up next was Hungary in the quarterfinals. We battled through two hard-fought rounds, but after another draw, I unfortunately came up just short.

Despite my long absence, I’m proud of the level I was able to show throughout the tournament. A medal wasn't in the cards this time, but I feel stronger than ever and can clearly see the progress in my performance. This experience has only fueled my hunger for more, and I'm heading into the next event with full energy and confidence!

Partnering with Elvou: A New Chapter in Health and High Performance

In the world of elite sports, timing is everything. Every second matters, every move has to hit the mark – and nothing is more important than having a body and mind in peak condition. That’s why I’m incredibly proud to announce my new partnership with Elvou, the rising lifestyle brand that’s changing the game when it comes to natural health and performance.

A Shared Vision: Health as the Foundation for Greatness

As an athlete, I know what it takes to compete at the highest level. Discipline, dedication, focus – but above all, a deep understanding of how your body works, and how to fuel it. That’s exactly where Elvou comes in. From the very first moment, I felt a connection with their mission: helping people perform and live better through honest, effective, and science-backed health products.

Elvou isn’t just about supplements – it’s a movement. A brand built on purity, transparency, and real results. No fluff, no fillers – just what your body actually needs.

Elvou: From Roots to Rise

Elvou was born in the Netherlands, out of frustration with the overload of artificial products and superficial health marketing. The founders – coming from backgrounds in sports, science, and nutrition – wanted to build something better. Something clean, honest, and powerful.

Today, Elvou is more than a brand. It’s a growing community of athletes, professionals, and conscious consumers who believe in real health and long-term performance.

Not Just a Partnership – A Movement

This partnership is about more than just branding. It’s about aligning with a vision that mirrors my own. “What you put into your body determines how you perform – not just in training or competition, but in every part of life. Elvou gives me exactly what I need to unlock my full potential."

In the coming months, I'll be sharing valuable insights on training, recovery, and nutrition. Elvou will also launch exclusive products and routines focused on performance and wellbeing – made for all people who want to take things to the next level.

The Future Is Holistic

This collaboration is a step forward. It’s about setting a new standard in sport and wellness – one where performance and health go hand in hand. No more compromises. Just a lifestyle that supports longevity, energy, and excellence

With pure nutrition, that’s when you truly perform.

National Team Sparring Day: Growing Together, Competing Together

This past Sunday was all about development, sharpness, and preparation for the upcoming qualification tournaments. In an intense, yet above all inspiring setting, the first official sparring day of the national team took place — a day where nothing mattered more than getting better. More rhythm, more resistance, more focus.

The objective of the day was clear: to facilitate as many high-quality practice matches as possible for the national team athletes in preparation for the upcoming international qualification tournaments in Sweden (May) and Luxembourg (June).

Sharpening Focus for Sweden and Luxembourg

The qualification events in Sweden and Luxembourg are the final opportunities to secure a spot at the international finals later this year. The pressure is on — and that’s exactly what makes days like these so valuable. Through intense sparring moments in a realistic, competitive setting, we were able to fine-tune our fight rhythm and sharpen our competition mindset.

Team Effort from Start to Finish

A day like this requires preparation, commitment, and collaboration. From the coaches who ran a tight program to the sparring partners who delivered quality at the right moment — everyone played a part in making it a success. Special thanks to the Dutch Taekwondo Federation for making this day possible.

We look back on a productive and successful day — and we look ahead to what’s next. Because the road to success isn’t paved by talent alone, but by dedication, teamwork, and the will to get just a little better every single day.

To be continued.

New Gear, New Energy: Sponsored by NihonSport & JC

Ever wondered how many kicks we throw per training session, per week, per month? In elite sports, it’s all about the details, which in our case, is multiplied with all the amounts of kicks we throw. That one millisecond faster, that fraction more control, that subtle improvement that can ultimately mean the difference between winning and losing. And it all starts in training — where the right gear is absolutely essential.

That’s why I’m incredibly happy and grateful to be supported by NihonSport, who provided me with the brand-new JC Taekwondo shoes — specifically designed for maximum performance, without compromise.

A Modern Classic

The new JC shoes are a tribute to the traditional Taekwondo shoe: sleek, clean, and functional. But these aren’t just a throwback — they combine timeless design with cutting-edge innovation. The result? A shoe that feels like you’re training barefoot, yet gives you the protection and grip you need to push your limits.

What stood out to me immediately after my first session was the minimal, ultra-precise sole. No thick padding or unnecessary lift — just a flat, stable base that quite literally brings you closer to the mat. That direct contact with the floor is key for speed, balance, and explosive movement.

Feel the Gain, Measure the Difference

In Taekwondo, every movement is a combination of timing, feeling, and speed. These JC shoes help me fine-tune all of those elements even further. Because of the increased ground contact, my reactions are sharper, my footwork more efficient, and my kicks just that little bit quicker.

Gratitude to My Sponsors

A huge thank you to NihonSport and JC for your support and belief in me. Your backing quite literally helps me move forward — towards my goals and beyond.

I’m looking forward to training with these shoes in the coming period — and making every kick count.

Let’s keep moving forward.

From now on you can get 10% discount on your purchase online at NihonSport! This can be done by using the following code: AYMEN10. With this you support my sporting career as NihonSport does!

Last weekend the Dutch Open took place with no less than 1400 participating athletes from all over the world. With a world event just around the corner, this is the best annual event for me. Unfortunately, I was unable to participate due to an injury. As a result, I will not be participating in the Belgian Open either.

However, I was able to contribute as a volunteer to a successful event by assisting the referees. This role has broadened my insight into competition regulation, and it was especially nice to experience the perspective of the referees.

In addition, we were able to support the Association in creating Social Media content in the run-up to this event.

Despite not being able to participate, I was fortunately able to fully experience the event. On to a speedy recovery so that I can return to the mats as an athlete as soon as possible!

P.s.: See below the link to a Reel that was partly made by us as selection members!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG36sTxo_uU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

As of today, I have a new part-time job in which I can further develop my legal experience and the associated skills. I have become a Moot Court trainer for the course Practice Court for the Public Law and Governance department. In this position, I support the lecturers by giving students pleading training. The emphasis here is mainly on the manner of pleading and presenting in order to have, in addition to strong content, also a strong persuasive power in conveying the substantive message. 

Last weekend we traveled to Antalya to participate in the Turkish Open 2025. Unfortunately I sustained an injury which forced me to withdraw from this event due to the medical staff. Nevertheless I enjoyed the beautiful event and I am really looking forward to the next event (namely the Dutch Open!)