Eric starting Dutch Kickboxing at young age, learning from his father, who was one of the three pioneers of Dutch Kickboxing. In 2001 he started his own academy in the city Weesp, The Netherlands just 4 miles from Amsterdam. The name of the academy is: Yamato Gym. Eric now dedicates much of his time in teaching self defense.Eric is advisor to the goverment and the board of managers of the association Sectie Ringcontactsporten (FOG/ NOC*NSF) and also an international martial arts referee.After 5 years of dedication and loyalty, Valente Brothers, Eric van Looijen completed the requirements to start a Valente Brothers Study Group™ in Holland. Eric began training with the Valente brothers in 2008 and since then has been constantly traveling to Miami and meeting Professor Gui whenever he is in Europe. According to Eric, he chose to learn from the Valente brothers because of his interest for Self-Defense Jiu-Jitsu, the brothers' emphasis on philosophy and their mission of teching Helio Gracie's vision. After earning his Blue Belt in December of 2012, Eric was accredited by the Valentes to establish a Valente Brothers Study Group™. Professor Gui Valente visited Eric's gym for the first time in 2013 and was extremely happy with what he saw: "Prior to embarikng in the Jiu-Jitsu journey with us, Eric was already an established martial artist in Holland. He is an extremely high level kickboxing practioner and coach, which only makes his interest in our system even more valuable." According to Gui, Eric's students demontrated a fine level of technique and most importantly, the atmosphere at the gym was one of respect and cammraderie.Valente Brothers has a healthy and postive jiu-jitsu home in Amsterdam.