My name is Richard Edward Vrolijk. I was born on the 23rd of July 1974 on the Caribbean Island of Aruba. As a young boy I was a very timid child. My father, Juan Jacobo Vrolijk, taught me a little bit about boxing. As a young man himself, and wanted to enter the police school, he acquired some basic movements. One day my father brought me to the most well-known Karate school on the island. I was 7 years old. 

The Aruba Korean Karate Institute was a traditional Korean Karate/ Tae Kwon Do school of Ji Do Kwan style. His founder Grandmaster Adolf Lichtenstaijn direct student of Henry S. Cho based in New York. My first instructor at that school was Master Eric Dania. 

I recall clearly the first time I completed and lost the match. I went back to my father’s car and cried my heart out. Once home I took away all the martial arts posters I had in my room. 'In order to win one must first learn to lose and learn to control one’s emotions'.

I reached my green belt before leaving and joining the Olympic style Taekwondo taught by Master Jose (Chaco) Cornelio, now WTF Kukkiwon Grandmaster, and former student of Grandmaster Adolf Lichtenstaijn. I practiced Olympic Tae Kwon Do for some times with Master Herrich Lo-A-Njoe 1986 (ITF/WTF).

For a long period, I tried other sports such as soccer, baseball, and windsurfing. But always training what I learned at home, so I won’t forget my technics. I always imagine building my own company in my backyard. 

In 1996 I went to study in The Netherlands. 

Early 1998 I met Master Aldwin Lee and Master Ruddy Monsanto. These two persons, mentors and old friends would forever change my life. Master Lee's doing was 5 minutes walking from my place.