:: du Prée Kyokushin ::

Vincent du Prée

 

Vincent du Prée was born on February 20th, 1975, in the city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The younger brother of Maurice du Prée. He started kyokushin karate in the dojo of Loek Hollander in Rotterdam, the Netherlands in 1987 at the young age of 12. Over his 20 years of Kyokushin practice Vincent has become a technical and spirited karateka, who has participated in many kyokushin events.

Vincent is now living in the United States, where he trains at the NYC Honbu of Shihan Katsuhito Gorai. During his Kyokushin career he was influenced by many great karateka among others Shihan Peter Voogt, Shihan Kouichi Kawabata, Sensei Remi da Silva Oliveira, Sensei Eric Constancia and training partner Sempai Rudolf Conquet.

At the age of 16 Vincent became the Light Weight Champion at the Dojo Championships of Shihan Loek Hollander and started preparing himself for bigger tournaments. In the summer of 1997 he trained in Japan for a month in the Kyoto Shibu dojo of Shihan Kouichi Kawabata, visiting his brother Maurice. After that, Vincent participated in many Kyokushin kumite as well as kata tournaments since 1991. He has proven to be a fighter aiming for Knock-Outs. He became the Dutch National Light-weight champion for his first time in 2000. And again in 2001. That year he was able to finish all his fights (4) within 40 seconds!

Vincent reahed his 1st kyu in July 1997 at the International Summercamp in Arnhem, the Netherlands. Sadly, in December 1997, he got heavily injured on his shoulder and had to recover for many months following. On July 16th, 2000, Vincent was awarded shodan at the International Summercamp in Arnhem the Netherlands. That same year Vincent fought in the European Championships in Vila do Conde (Porto), Portugal. He lost early in the tournament.

In March 2001, Vincent wrote his name to the Light weight title of 2001, the fastest KO award and the Best Performer Award. He was able to finish all his fights (4) within 40 seconds! On May 26, 2001, Vincent fought at the European Championships in Szentes, Hungary. Although being prepared well in Baltimore, USA, he lost in the early stage of the tournament. At the Dutch Open of 2002 he took 3rd place after losing by means of a doubtful referee decision.

Vincent will continue his Kyokushin career in New York City and wants to pursue his kyokushin tournament carreer in another region of the world. In 2003 Vincent fought the Dutch Open of 2003 and secured his 3rd light weight title after 3 KOs. Vincent dedicated his tournament victory to his father Frans, who passed away a few months earlier very suddenly. This one is for you!

After the Dutch Open 2003, Vincent decided to focus on recovering from his injury. He is still recovering today (May 2007).

"The hardest part of being injured is to deal with the loss of respect that comes with it unfairly. People seem to forget about you once you don't fight the tournaments. It actually should be the other way around. I am fighting my toughest fight right now - trying to get fit after a 4-year struggle". - Vincent