Instructors Renzo Gracie Tilburg
Renzo Gracie Tilburg has a specialized instructor available for every martial art.
Kemail Verhoeven
Kemail is head instructor at Renzo Gracie Holland and Tilburg
Kemail Verhoeven has lived and worked for five years in the United States. During this period Kemail came into contact with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Submission Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). After a bet that he lost about what was the most effective martial arts, Kemail started training BJJ in May of 2005 at Renzo Gracie Denville, New Jersey under George Sernack. Additionally, Kemail has trained several years at the Renzo Gracie Academy in Manhattan, New York City under Renzo Gracie, Gregor Gracie, Igor Gracie, Rolles Gracie, John Danaher and Rafael "Gordino" Correa.
Kemail had the opportunity to train with many greats of the art, including the aforementioned instructors and furthermore with Roger Gracie, Leo Vieira, Frankie Edgar, George St. Pierre, Gordo, Charles "Silverfox" Pravec and many others.
Accolades from Kemail
March 2014, promoted to black belt by George Sernack
June 2011, promoted to brown belt by Rolles Gracie
June 2008, promoted to purple belt by Renzo Gracie
March 2006, promoted to blue belt by Igor Gracie
Competition results
Europeans Masters Championship 2025, 1st place black belt, Master 6
Second place black belt World Master IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024 Master 6
European Championship in 2017, 3rd place black belt, Master 4
European Championship in 2014, 1st place brown belt, Master 4
European Championships 2012, 2nd place brown belt, Master 3
Nogi Open German Championship in 2012, 2nd place brown belt adults
European Championship in 2010, 1st place weight category and 2nd place open class purple belt, Master 3
Open Brazilian championships (Brasileiros) 2009, 1st place purple belt, Master 3
New Jersey state championships in 2008, 2nd place purple belt adults
Naga Battle at the Beach 2007, 1st place blue belt
Naga Battle at the Beach 2005, 3rd place white belt
Bennie Monsma
Bennie teaches Boxing, Kickboxing, Cardio Kickboxing and MMA
Bennie loved boxing from an early age. Roy Jones Jr. but especially Tyson Fury are his examples. "The combination of entertainment, tactical chess, perseverance, discipline and fun are the reasons why I started boxing."
Bennie has been boxing intensively since 2015 and later MMA was added. In 2017 Bennie decided to train with Renzo Gracie Holland because of the atmosphere and the quality. He now likes to transfer that motivation as an instructor.
Marcel Konings
Marcel Konings is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling instructor.
In December 2024, Marcel was promoted to black belt by Kemail Verhoeven.
“I originally wanted to start boxing, but my parents thought it was too violent. In the end, I choose BJJ.”
Marcel quickly realized that although BJJ may appear less violent, it still requires serious effort: “In the beginning, it was tough. I had never played any sports, and as a white belt you often find yourself stuck on the bottom. My body really had to adapt to the physical demands. But after a year, I started seeing real progress—I could easily win wrestling matches with my bigger brother.”
Today, Marcel trains primarily to stay physically fit and clear his mind. “I have ADHD, and this sport forces you to maintain focus and shut everything else out. If you don’t, your opponent will quickly make you pay for it.”
When teaching, Marcel finds it important to explain the context behind a technique: “I like to explain why you perform a technique—what the purpose of a particular movement is. That helps you remember the material better than just learning the steps one by one.”
Henk van Mierlo
Henk van Mierlo teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lessons.
Henk has been training martial arts since childhood. Started at Ooms gym with Judo, and switched to Kyokushin Karate when he was eighteen. "At that time everyone wanted to fight like Bruce Lee". He then spent 20 years training more traditional martial arts such as Pencak Silat, Wushu Kung Fu and Wing Chun.
"These were beautiful skills, but when it came to self-defense I felt most confident in my Judo and Karate background"
"The decisive factor to start training BJJ was UFC 1, where Royce Gracie showed that, with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you can win from all traditional martial arts, even if you are a lot lighter. Today you cannot be a full-fledged MMA fighter without BJJ. In recent years I practice BJJ mainly as a challenging game and a fun way to keep working on my fitness."
- Gold IBJJF German National Championship 2017 Blue Belt Master 5
- Silver IBJJF Paris National Open 2017 Blue Belt Master 5
- 2023 promoted to brown belt by Kemail Verhoeven and Rayron Gracie
Roos Vermeulen
Roos Vermeulen is a Cardio Kickboxing instructor and has been training at Renzo Gracie Tilburg for two years.
Roos started boxing herself when she was experiencing a burnout. For her, it was primarily about destressing and becoming mentally healthy again. This way, she could release her frustrations with each training session and felt completely relaxed when she walked out.
And that ultimately also helped her to fight her very first kickboxing match through Renzo Gracie Tilburg.
"We are very open and honest with everyone, and I feel like I can always say anything to anyone. I find it very pleasant."
"If there are any women who are hesitant, they are always welcome to train with me!"
Achievements:
- Won by TKO at the Boxing Gala June 2023
- Won on points at the Boxing Gala Heesakkers October 2023
Djessie Aards
Djesse Aarts is an instructor for kids' BJJ en assistant for MMA and BJJ
Djesse is one of our upcoming talents. He started kickboxing at a very young age, at eight. "Of course, it wasn't very serious then, we were allowed to spar but not hit the head. It was more cardio kickboxing with a bit of sparring."
At the age of thirteen, he read that there was a new MMA school in Tilburg. "I really wanted to do that. I can still remember how awesome the atmosphere was when I first walked in. Everyone was very friendly. They came up to me to ask what I thought of it. I felt at home right away."
Djesse quickly realized that to be truly good at MMA, you need to train in all disciplines. So now, in addition to MMA, he also trains in boxing, kickboxing, BJJ, and grappling.
"I want to become a professional MMA fighter, and I train every day for it.
- Gold at "Let's Roll Utrecht II" 2024
- Gold at VERSUS 21 - Kids Edition BJJ 2023
- Gold at Lion Cub Jiu Jitsu Competition 2023
- Gold at Grappling Industries Amsterdam
- Silver at NAGA Brussels Grappling Championship 2024
Jan Verhoeven
Jan Verhoeven is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor with a black belt in Judo and a purple belt in BJJ.
Jan practiced Judo at an international level when he started looking for a BJJ school to improve his groundwork. “I wanted to improve my Judo that way. What struck me about BJJ in the beginning was the relaxed way everyone interacted with each other. Young and old, all levels mixed together. The atmosphere was also very friendly. In Judo—especially because I competed internationally—it was much more competitive.”
In recent years, Jan has focused more on BJJ. “Nowadays I mainly train to learn new things and enjoy the sport. There’s always more to discover. My ultimate goal is to earn the black belt in BJJ as well.”
When it comes to teaching, Jan believes it’s important that students genuinely learn something: “I want students to go home satisfied, knowing they picked up something valuable.”
Achievements:
- Black belt in Judo (2018)
- Purple belt in BJJ (2020)
- 3rd place, Dutch National Championship Judo (2018)
- 3rd place, Dutch National Championship Judo (2019)
- 3rd place, KING of the BEACH (BJJ, 2023)
- 2nd place, Grappling Industries (BJJ, 2025)