SIX MATS AND A SUITCASE
Royal Martial Arts is a family-owned martial arts school, founded by Robert and Jolanda Koning from the Netherlands. We came to Qatar in 2014 with nothing more than a suitcase, six mats, and an idea.
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Robert had trained in various disciplines and witnessed the transformative power of martial arts in his own life. Seeing such a program was missing in Doha, the idea of Royal Martial Arts was born. With very little capital, we rented a small space and laid down those six mats, and it was on these mats that we decided to start Royal Martial Arts.
The journey was not easy. The mats were worn, the room was small, and getting a company license was far from easy. But what we lacked in resources, we made up for with enthusiasm and commitment. We were determined to create a space where people of all ages could not only learn martial arts but also grow as individuals. More than anything, martial arts has the power to instill confidence and self-esteem in children, which helps them grow and persevere in each facet of life.
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We started with small but dedicated group of students, but as word spread, our classes began to grow and soon those 6 mats became 12 mats, and then 24 mats.
We have continued to grow over the past decade and are proud to be known not only for our excellent martial arts instruction but also for a sense of belonging we provide to our students.
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We built a friendly, non-competitive atmosphere where students of all backgrounds and ages came to learn, grow, and support one another.
Today, that small martial arts class with just six mats has grown into a thriving company, with modern facilities, offerings at schools, and a large international community. But no matter how big our company will become, our foundation remains firmly rooted in the passion that started on those six mats in 2014, and a dedication to empower each individual student that walks through our door.
We look forward to welcoming you on this journey with us.
Jolanda and Robert