Godfather of Dutch Judo - A Story of Triumph, Passion, and Dedication

Cor van der Geest, renowned as the training partner of judo legend Wim Ruska, has left an indelible mark on the world of judo in the Netherlands and beyond. From being a formidable competitor in the national subtop, he transformed into an autodidact coach who achieved immense success at both national and international levels. At his prestigious sportschool, Kenamju in Haarlem, Cor nurtured a long list of champions, including his own sons Dennis and Elco, the Gal sisters, Ben Sonnemans, Maarten Arens, Claudia Zwiers, Ruben Houkes, and the Elmont brothers, just to name a few. Together, they fearlessly conquered the world with Cor leading the charge.

A Tale of Unyielding Passion

In this captivating book, Cor van der Geest recounts his tireless pursuit of creating "intrinsically" motivated athletes, as well as his vibrant adventures with Kenamju and his illustrious career as a celebrated national coach. Delving deep into his experiences, the authors have interviewed Cor and Els van der Geest, sons Dennis and Elco, nephew and best friend Robbert van der Geest, esteemed coaches such as Chris de Korte and Toon Gerbrands, as well as prominent sports journalists like Mart Smeets and Pierre Zenden.

An Unfiltered Voice

In characteristic fashion, top coach Cor van der Geest does not hold back in expressing his concerns about the current policies of the Dutch Judo Federation. With his trademark strength and candor, he fearlessly lays bare his worries and critiques. This book serves as a compelling portrait of the Godfather of Dutch judo, honoring his journey of transforming Kenamju from a struggling club to an ultramodern sports center with thousands of members.

Patricia Jimmink, who worked on the sports desk of Haarlems Dagblad, joins forces with Govert Wisse, former sports reporter for the GPD and Haarlems Dagblad, and Gerlof Leistra, acclaimed crime journalist of Elsevier Weekblad, who has extensively covered the realm of sports.