JORIS VAN DEN BERG
WNA Era (1997 – 2013)
Joris van den Berg is known as one of the most technically skilled nunchaku athletes, having started training at the age of six.
He was coached by his father, Hennie van den Berg, as well as Geert Mulder. For over 20 years, Joris competed in the World Nunchaku Association (WNA) tournament circuit, organized by Milco Lambrecht. This circuit formed the foundation of his technical abilities. In 2011, Joris claimed three European titles in Kumite, Kata, and Freestyle. Two years later, in 2013, he won the WNA World Championship title in Freestyle — making him only the second person in WNA history to achieve this distinction.
NIA Era (2014 – 2016)
In October 2014, Joris began training under Stefano Scandola (Italy) at Dojo Yokoso in Amstelveen, focusing on musical forms for the WAKO tournament circuit. He made his debut at the Irish Open in 2015, securing 2nd place, and later that year earned a 3rd place at the WAKO World Championships.
Also in 2014, Joris competed at the NIA World Nunchaku Championship, where he took 2nd place just behind Pierre Mercier from France. In 2016, after more than six months of dedicated preparation, he returned to Vevey and captured the NIA World Title in Freestyle — becoming the first athlete ever to win both WNA and NIA World Titles in Freestyle.
WAKO Era (2015 – Present)
Following the 2016 World Championship, Joris set a new goal: to win the WAKO World Title in Musical Forms – Weapons. The journey began in 2015, and in March 2018 he won the Dutch national title at the Yokoso Dutch Open. Later that year, after months of intensive training, he became the European Champion in Maribor, Slovenia. One of Joris's ongoing ambitions is to earn the WAKO World Title in this discipline. Beyond competitions, Joris is dedicated to promoting the art and sport of nunchaku worldwide — through competing, performing, and offering seminars across the globe.
SPORT TITLES
2024 - 3x World Champion Nunchaku Kumite, Kata, Freestyle - WNA
2023 - Bronze Medal World Championship Portugal - WAKO
2018 - 1x European Champion Musical Forms Weapons - WAKO
2016 - World Champion Nunchaku Freestyle Switserland - NIA
2015 - Bronze medal World Championship Ireland - WAKO
2013 - World Champion Nunchaku Freestyle - WNA
2011 - 3x European Champion Nunchaku Kumite, Kata, Freestyle - WNA
2009 - 1x European Champion Nunchaku Kumite - WNA
7x Overall Champion (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2021) - WNA
12x Dutch Champion (across different disciplines) - WNA
PERFORMANCES AND TELEVISION
Enfusion Kickbox Gala - Abu Dhabi 2019
Zuidas Business Boxing Gala - Amsterdam 2019
Geneve Open Switserland - Geneve 2018
Rings Kickbox Gala - 2017
Rings APGS Gala - Amsterdam 2016
Rings Budo Gala - Nieuwegein 2015
King's Day Netherlands 2014
COCA COLA video #cokeredmoves.com 2013
Rings Budo Gala - Amstelveen 2013
Festival des Arts Martiaux - Paris-Bercy 2013
Festival des Arts Martiaux - Paris-Bercy 2012
Zappsport-broadcast 71 2012.
Zapplive broadcast 2012
Martial Arts Festival - Leerdam 2011
Fedde Le Grand-Scared Of Me 2009.
Holland's got Talent-broadcast 2009.
ALL TOURNAMENT RESULTS
2025
2nd place - Creative Forms - Yokoso Dutch Open 2025 - WAKO
3rd place - Musical Forms - Yokoso Dutch Open 2025 - WAKO
2024
1st place - Kumite -1.85 meter - World Championship 2024 - WNA
1st place - Self design Kata - World Championship 2024 - WNA
1st place - Freestyle senioren - World Championship 2024 - WNA
2023
3rd place - Team Sync Forms Weapons - World Championship - WAKO
1st place - Creative Forms Weapons - Flanders Open 2023 - WAKO
2nd place - Musical Forms Weapons - Flanders Open 2023 - WAKO
1st place - Grand Champion Forms - Yokoso Dutch Open 2023 - WAKO
1st place - Grand Champion Trick Battle Weapons - Yokoso Dutch Open 2023 - WAKO
2nd place - Musical Forms Weapons - Yokoso Dutch Open 2023 - WAKO
2nd place - Creative Forms Weapons - Yokoso Dutch Open 2023 - WAKO
2022
1st place - Kumite -1.85 meter - Open Dutch Championship 2022 - WNA
1st place - Kata Shodan - Open Dutch Championship 2022 - WNA
2nd place - Freestyle senioren - Open Dutch Championship 2022 - WNA
2021
Overall-beker 2021
1st place - Kumite -1.85 meter - Open Breukelse 2021 - WNA
1st place - Kata Shodan - Open Breukelse 2021 - WNA
1st place - Freestyle senioren - Open Breukelse 2021 - WNA
2020
4th place - Traditional forms weapons - Irish Open - WAKO
1st place - Traditional forms -Delftzijl tournament - WAKO
2019
No tournaments due to injury
2018
1st place - Musical forms weapons - European Championship - WAKO
1st place - Grand Champion forms - Flanders Open - WAKO
1st place - Musical forms weapons - Geneve Open
1st place - Grand Champion forms - Yokoso Dutch Open - WAKO
1st place - Traditional forms - Yokoso Dutch Open - WAKO
1st place - Weapons Trick Battle - Yokoso Dutch Open - WAKO
2017
2nd place - Grand Champion Musical forms Flanders Open - WAKO
1st place - TrickBattle Unity Games V - NASKA
2nd place - Musical Forms weapons Unity Games V - NASKA
3st place - Creative weapons Unity Games V - NASKA
5th place - US Open Creative weapons - NASKA
2nd place - Grand Champion Yokoso Dutch Open - W.A.K.O
3st place - Creative weapons Irish Open - W.A.K.O
2016
1st place - Hyper Trick Battle - Unity Games 2016
3rd place - Musical forms weapons - Unity Games 2016
1st place - Grand Champion forms - Yokoso Dutch Open WAKO 2016
1st place - Musical forms weapons - Yokoso Dutch Open WAKO 2016
1st place - Freestyle seniors - World Championship NIA 2016
3rd place - Nunchaku Combat - World Championship NIA 2016
2015
3rd place - World Championship WAKO 2015
1st place - Grand Champion forms - Yokoso Dutch Open WAKO 2015
2nd place - Musical forms weapons - Yokoso Dutch Open WAKO 2015
1st place - WAKO 7 Tournament WAKO 2015
2nd place - Irish Open 2015 WAKO 2015
2014
2nd place - World Championship Nunchaku 2014 NIA
2013
1st place - World Championship Nunchaku 2013 WNA
2011
Overall-beker 2011
1st place - Open Breukelse 2011 - Kumite +1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open Breukelse 2011 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Breukelse 2011 - Freestyle Senioren
1st place - Open European Championship 2011 - Kumite +1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open European Championship 2011 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open European Championship 2011 - Freestyle Senioren
2010
Overall-beker 2010
2nd place - Open Breukelse 2010 - Kumite +1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open Breukelse 2010 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Breukelse 2010 - Freestyle Senioren
1st place - Best of the Best OCC 2010 - Kumite +1.85 A Klasse
2nd place - Open Challenge Cup 2010 - Kumite +1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open Challenge Cup 2010 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Challenge Cup 2010 - Freestyle Senioren
1st place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2010 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2010 - Freestyle Senioren
2009
Overall-beker 2009
1st place - Open Breukelse 2009 - Kumite +1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open Breukelse 2009 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Breukelse 2009 - Freestyle Senioren
1st place - Open European Championship 2009 - Kumite -1.85 A Klasse
2nd place - Open European Championship 2009 - Kata Blackbelts
2nd place - Open European Championship 2009 - Freestyle Senioren
2008
Overall-beker 2008
1st place - Open Breukelse 2008 - Kumite -1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open Breukelse 2008 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Breukelse 2008 - Freestyle Senioren
1st place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2008 - Kumite
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2008 - Freestyle Senioren
2007
Overall-beker 2007
1st place - Open Breukelse 2007 - Kumite -1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open Breukelse 2007 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Breukelse 2007 - Freestyle Senioren
2nd place - Open European Championship 2007 - Kata Blackbelts
3rd place - Open European Championship 2007 - Freestyle Senioren
2006
Overall-beker 2006
2nd place - Open Breukelse 2006 - Kumite -1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open Breukelse 2006 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Breukelse 2006 - Freestyle Senioren
John Haanen Stijlprijs - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2006
1st place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2006 - Kumite
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2006 - Freestyle Senioren
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2006 - Kata Blackbelts
2005
2nd place - Open Breukelse 2005 - Kumite -1.85 A Klasse
2nd place - Open Breukelse 2005 - Kata Senioren
2nd place - Open Breukelse 2005 - Freestyle Senioren
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2005 - Kumite
3rd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2005 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2005 - Freestyle Senioren
2004
Stijlprijs - Open Breukelse 2004
2nd place - Open Breukelse 2004 - Freestyle Senioren
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2004 - Freestyle Senioren
2003
1st place - Open Breukelse 2003 - Freestyle Senioren
1st place - Open Breukelse 2003 - Kumite 1.75 A
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2003 - Kumite 1.75 A
1st place - Junioren Toernooi Sittard - Kumite 1.75 A Open klasse
1st place - Junioren Toernooi Sittard - Kumite 1.75 A
2002
2nd place - 15e Open Breukelse 2002 - Kata Junioren
2nd place - 15e Open Breukelse 2002 - Kumite 1.75 A
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2002 - Kata junioren
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2002 - Kumite -1.75 A
2001
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2001 - kumite 1.65 A
3rd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2001 - Kata junioren
2nd place - Junioren toernooi Sittard 2001 - Kata junioren
3rd place - Junioren toernooi Sittard 2001 - Kumite 1.65 A
2000
2nd place- Kumite 1.65 Junioren Junior toernooi Sittard 2000
2nd place - Kata Junioren Junior toernooi Sittard 2000
1st place - Kata junioren Grutte pier toernooi 2000
1st place - SNN Junioren toernooi 2000 - Kumite -1.55 A
1999
1st place - Kata Junioren SNN toernooi 1999
1st place - Kata Junioren 12e Open Breukelse 1999
2nd place - kumite -1.55 A 12e Open Breukelse 1999
3rd place - Kata junioren LMA toernooi 1999
2nd place - Kumite 1.55 A LMA toernooi 1999
1st place - Kata junioren ONK 1999
2nd place - Kumite 1.55 junioren/debutanten toernooi 1999
1998
2nd place - Kumite 1.55 11e Open Breukelse 1998
2nd place - Kumite 1.55 SNN toernooi 1998
1st place - kumite - Kumite 1.45 SNN toernooi 1998
1997
1st place - kumite -1.45 SNN toernooi 1997
1996
3rd place - kumite -1.45 Puntencompetitie 1996
Joris van den Berg is known as one of the most technically skilled nunchaku athletes, having started training at the age of six.
He was coached by his father, Hennie van den Berg, as well as Geert Mulder. For over 20 years, Joris competed in the World Nunchaku Association (WNA) tournament circuit, organized by Milco Lambrecht. This circuit formed the foundation of his technical abilities. In 2011, Joris claimed three European titles in Kumite, Kata, and Freestyle. Two years later, in 2013, he won the WNA World Championship title in Freestyle — making him only the second person in WNA history to achieve this distinction.
NIA Era (2014 – 2016)
In October 2014, Joris began training under Stefano Scandola (Italy) at Dojo Yokoso in Amstelveen, focusing on musical forms for the WAKO tournament circuit. He made his debut at the Irish Open in 2015, securing 2nd place, and later that year earned a 3rd place at the WAKO World Championships.
Also in 2014, Joris competed at the NIA World Nunchaku Championship, where he took 2nd place just behind Pierre Mercier from France. In 2016, after more than six months of dedicated preparation, he returned to Vevey and captured the NIA World Title in Freestyle — becoming the first athlete ever to win both WNA and NIA World Titles in Freestyle.
WAKO Era (2015 – Present)
Following the 2016 World Championship, Joris set a new goal: to win the WAKO World Title in Musical Forms – Weapons. The journey began in 2015, and in March 2018 he won the Dutch national title at the Yokoso Dutch Open. Later that year, after months of intensive training, he became the European Champion in Maribor, Slovenia. One of Joris's ongoing ambitions is to earn the WAKO World Title in this discipline. Beyond competitions, Joris is dedicated to promoting the art and sport of nunchaku worldwide — through competing, performing, and offering seminars across the globe.
SPORT TITLES
2024 - 3x World Champion Nunchaku Kumite, Kata, Freestyle - WNA
2023 - Bronze Medal World Championship Portugal - WAKO
2018 - 1x European Champion Musical Forms Weapons - WAKO
2016 - World Champion Nunchaku Freestyle Switserland - NIA
2015 - Bronze medal World Championship Ireland - WAKO
2013 - World Champion Nunchaku Freestyle - WNA
2011 - 3x European Champion Nunchaku Kumite, Kata, Freestyle - WNA
2009 - 1x European Champion Nunchaku Kumite - WNA
7x Overall Champion (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2021) - WNA
12x Dutch Champion (across different disciplines) - WNA
PERFORMANCES AND TELEVISION
Enfusion Kickbox Gala - Abu Dhabi 2019
Zuidas Business Boxing Gala - Amsterdam 2019
Geneve Open Switserland - Geneve 2018
Rings Kickbox Gala - 2017
Rings APGS Gala - Amsterdam 2016
Rings Budo Gala - Nieuwegein 2015
King's Day Netherlands 2014
COCA COLA video #cokeredmoves.com 2013
Rings Budo Gala - Amstelveen 2013
Festival des Arts Martiaux - Paris-Bercy 2013
Festival des Arts Martiaux - Paris-Bercy 2012
Zappsport-broadcast 71 2012.
Zapplive broadcast 2012
Martial Arts Festival - Leerdam 2011
Fedde Le Grand-Scared Of Me 2009.
Holland's got Talent-broadcast 2009.
ALL TOURNAMENT RESULTS
2025
2nd place - Creative Forms - Yokoso Dutch Open 2025 - WAKO
3rd place - Musical Forms - Yokoso Dutch Open 2025 - WAKO
2024
1st place - Kumite -1.85 meter - World Championship 2024 - WNA
1st place - Self design Kata - World Championship 2024 - WNA
1st place - Freestyle senioren - World Championship 2024 - WNA
2023
3rd place - Team Sync Forms Weapons - World Championship - WAKO
1st place - Creative Forms Weapons - Flanders Open 2023 - WAKO
2nd place - Musical Forms Weapons - Flanders Open 2023 - WAKO
1st place - Grand Champion Forms - Yokoso Dutch Open 2023 - WAKO
1st place - Grand Champion Trick Battle Weapons - Yokoso Dutch Open 2023 - WAKO
2nd place - Musical Forms Weapons - Yokoso Dutch Open 2023 - WAKO
2nd place - Creative Forms Weapons - Yokoso Dutch Open 2023 - WAKO
2022
1st place - Kumite -1.85 meter - Open Dutch Championship 2022 - WNA
1st place - Kata Shodan - Open Dutch Championship 2022 - WNA
2nd place - Freestyle senioren - Open Dutch Championship 2022 - WNA
2021
Overall-beker 2021
1st place - Kumite -1.85 meter - Open Breukelse 2021 - WNA
1st place - Kata Shodan - Open Breukelse 2021 - WNA
1st place - Freestyle senioren - Open Breukelse 2021 - WNA
2020
4th place - Traditional forms weapons - Irish Open - WAKO
1st place - Traditional forms -Delftzijl tournament - WAKO
2019
No tournaments due to injury
2018
1st place - Musical forms weapons - European Championship - WAKO
1st place - Grand Champion forms - Flanders Open - WAKO
1st place - Musical forms weapons - Geneve Open
1st place - Grand Champion forms - Yokoso Dutch Open - WAKO
1st place - Traditional forms - Yokoso Dutch Open - WAKO
1st place - Weapons Trick Battle - Yokoso Dutch Open - WAKO
2017
2nd place - Grand Champion Musical forms Flanders Open - WAKO
1st place - TrickBattle Unity Games V - NASKA
2nd place - Musical Forms weapons Unity Games V - NASKA
3st place - Creative weapons Unity Games V - NASKA
5th place - US Open Creative weapons - NASKA
2nd place - Grand Champion Yokoso Dutch Open - W.A.K.O
3st place - Creative weapons Irish Open - W.A.K.O
2016
1st place - Hyper Trick Battle - Unity Games 2016
3rd place - Musical forms weapons - Unity Games 2016
1st place - Grand Champion forms - Yokoso Dutch Open WAKO 2016
1st place - Musical forms weapons - Yokoso Dutch Open WAKO 2016
1st place - Freestyle seniors - World Championship NIA 2016
3rd place - Nunchaku Combat - World Championship NIA 2016
2015
3rd place - World Championship WAKO 2015
1st place - Grand Champion forms - Yokoso Dutch Open WAKO 2015
2nd place - Musical forms weapons - Yokoso Dutch Open WAKO 2015
1st place - WAKO 7 Tournament WAKO 2015
2nd place - Irish Open 2015 WAKO 2015
2014
2nd place - World Championship Nunchaku 2014 NIA
2013
1st place - World Championship Nunchaku 2013 WNA
2011
Overall-beker 2011
1st place - Open Breukelse 2011 - Kumite +1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open Breukelse 2011 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Breukelse 2011 - Freestyle Senioren
1st place - Open European Championship 2011 - Kumite +1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open European Championship 2011 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open European Championship 2011 - Freestyle Senioren
2010
Overall-beker 2010
2nd place - Open Breukelse 2010 - Kumite +1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open Breukelse 2010 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Breukelse 2010 - Freestyle Senioren
1st place - Best of the Best OCC 2010 - Kumite +1.85 A Klasse
2nd place - Open Challenge Cup 2010 - Kumite +1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open Challenge Cup 2010 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Challenge Cup 2010 - Freestyle Senioren
1st place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2010 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2010 - Freestyle Senioren
2009
Overall-beker 2009
1st place - Open Breukelse 2009 - Kumite +1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open Breukelse 2009 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Breukelse 2009 - Freestyle Senioren
1st place - Open European Championship 2009 - Kumite -1.85 A Klasse
2nd place - Open European Championship 2009 - Kata Blackbelts
2nd place - Open European Championship 2009 - Freestyle Senioren
2008
Overall-beker 2008
1st place - Open Breukelse 2008 - Kumite -1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open Breukelse 2008 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Breukelse 2008 - Freestyle Senioren
1st place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2008 - Kumite
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2008 - Freestyle Senioren
2007
Overall-beker 2007
1st place - Open Breukelse 2007 - Kumite -1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open Breukelse 2007 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Breukelse 2007 - Freestyle Senioren
2nd place - Open European Championship 2007 - Kata Blackbelts
3rd place - Open European Championship 2007 - Freestyle Senioren
2006
Overall-beker 2006
2nd place - Open Breukelse 2006 - Kumite -1.85 A Klasse
1st place - Open Breukelse 2006 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Breukelse 2006 - Freestyle Senioren
John Haanen Stijlprijs - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2006
1st place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2006 - Kumite
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2006 - Freestyle Senioren
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2006 - Kata Blackbelts
2005
2nd place - Open Breukelse 2005 - Kumite -1.85 A Klasse
2nd place - Open Breukelse 2005 - Kata Senioren
2nd place - Open Breukelse 2005 - Freestyle Senioren
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2005 - Kumite
3rd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2005 - Kata Blackbelts
1st place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2005 - Freestyle Senioren
2004
Stijlprijs - Open Breukelse 2004
2nd place - Open Breukelse 2004 - Freestyle Senioren
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2004 - Freestyle Senioren
2003
1st place - Open Breukelse 2003 - Freestyle Senioren
1st place - Open Breukelse 2003 - Kumite 1.75 A
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2003 - Kumite 1.75 A
1st place - Junioren Toernooi Sittard - Kumite 1.75 A Open klasse
1st place - Junioren Toernooi Sittard - Kumite 1.75 A
2002
2nd place - 15e Open Breukelse 2002 - Kata Junioren
2nd place - 15e Open Breukelse 2002 - Kumite 1.75 A
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2002 - Kata junioren
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2002 - Kumite -1.75 A
2001
2nd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2001 - kumite 1.65 A
3rd place - Open Nederlandse Kampioenschap 2001 - Kata junioren
2nd place - Junioren toernooi Sittard 2001 - Kata junioren
3rd place - Junioren toernooi Sittard 2001 - Kumite 1.65 A
2000
2nd place- Kumite 1.65 Junioren Junior toernooi Sittard 2000
2nd place - Kata Junioren Junior toernooi Sittard 2000
1st place - Kata junioren Grutte pier toernooi 2000
1st place - SNN Junioren toernooi 2000 - Kumite -1.55 A
1999
1st place - Kata Junioren SNN toernooi 1999
1st place - Kata Junioren 12e Open Breukelse 1999
2nd place - kumite -1.55 A 12e Open Breukelse 1999
3rd place - Kata junioren LMA toernooi 1999
2nd place - Kumite 1.55 A LMA toernooi 1999
1st place - Kata junioren ONK 1999
2nd place - Kumite 1.55 junioren/debutanten toernooi 1999
1998
2nd place - Kumite 1.55 11e Open Breukelse 1998
2nd place - Kumite 1.55 SNN toernooi 1998
1st place - kumite - Kumite 1.45 SNN toernooi 1998
1997
1st place - kumite -1.45 SNN toernooi 1997
1996
3rd place - kumite -1.45 Puntencompetitie 1996