Kickboxing champion Tyjani Beztati, inside and outside the ring: ”Discipline, focus, and calmness are crucial”

photo Kinsky Villiny

Tyjani discovered his talent for kickboxing by accident. ”I used to play football,” he says. ”But one day, I went to the gym with my sister because it was raining, and that’s when I knew this was my sport.” His passion for kickboxing grew quickly, and he soon decided to dedicate his career to it. At just eighteen, he signed with Glory, the largest international kickboxing organisation.

But success didn’t come without challenges. ”At first, it’s more of a hobby, and you don’t earn any money. But then the attention grows, big organisations get involved, and suddenly, money becomes part of the equation. Now, after almost four or five years, I’m at a point where I really enjoy the sport again.”

Tyjani highlights that having a solid team around him makes him enjoy the sport even more. ”At first, many people come up to you and want to share in your success. You don’t really know how things work, and that can lead to mistakes.” But he sees these as valuable learning moments.

Business interests

As Tyjani builds his career in the sports world, he’s also focusing on his business interests. ”I find this important because you never know how long you’ll be able to keep doing your sport. Especially because I’m in a full-contact sport, taking hits on my body. But I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. When I was 18, I had a logo designed for myself and started making hoodies and t-shirts, merchandise for my fans.”

Recently, he launched a gym together with his physiotherapist, Rami Zeyada. The first Motion Studio opened in Diemen, where we are now for this interview. ”We started small, step by step,” Tyjani explains. ”Just like in sports, as an entrepreneur, you have to crawl before you can walk.” With this project, he hopes to expand his horizons and stay active in the health and fitness world after his sports career. ”Discipline and focus are essential in both sports and life,” he emphasizes.

Teamwork is essential 

Key to his success outside the ring is his family and the close-knit team Tyjani has built around him. They are more than just colleagues – they are friends, and having a good atmosphere is essential to him. One of the key members of his team is Nick Verstappen, director of Business Professionals at ING Private Banking Sports & Media. ”Nick is always there for me, whether it’s for financial advice or personal matters,” Tyjani says.

His trust in Nick gives him the peace of mind to fully focus on his kickboxing. ”He’s my main contact at the bank and connects me with the right experts, whether it’s to create a financial plan or manage my investments. He helps me figure out how to make my financial dreams achievable, both for now and in the future. When I bought my first house, Nick helped me with every step. If I didn’t understand something, I’d just take a picture and send it to him.’ Nick adds that their first meeting wasn’t about business. ‘We met at an event and started chatting. It just clicked, and from there, our business conversations naturally followed.”

Becoming successful at a youthful age can make it hard to trust people. Tyjani admits this wasn’t always easy for him. ”As you get older, you realize that you can go much further as part of a team than on your own. But I must admit, I’ve learned over the years to trust others and work together.”

Focus and discipline

Tyjani’s ambition goes beyond his own success. He’s determined to inspire others, especially young people. He regularly teaches clinics, not only for companies but also in youth detention centres, where he teaches more than just fighting techniques. ”It’s not just about fighting; it’s about discipline and self-confidence, and that’s what I want to pass on.” Nick sees the same discipline in Tyjani’s financial approach. ”That discipline goes beyond sports – you can see it in his entrepreneurship.”

Working with young people is something Tyjani plans to continue. ”I think you can always learn something from others, and that helps you grow as well.” Looking ahead, Tyjani envisions a future where he continues to be an entrepreneur and travels more. ”Thanks to my parents, I feel at home in both Suriname and Morocco.” His dream is to start a business in one of those countries someday. Whatever he does next, his focus remains on helping others, especially young people, to also achieve their dreams.

Tyjani Beztati’s career

Tyjani Beztati started his professional kickboxing career at an early age, debuting in the GLORY organization at 18. As one of the youngest fighters ever in the competition, he quickly made a name for himself. In 2021, he won the GLORY Lightweight World Championship, becoming the youngest world champion in the division. Since then, he has successfully defended his title five times.

Ambassador Johan Cruyff Foundation

Since 2020, Tyjani Beztati has been an ambassador for the Johan Cruyff Foundation, focusing on improving sports opportunities for young people, especially those with disabilities. The foundation creates sports fields, known as Cruyff Courts, and organizes sports events worldwide. Tyjani sees it as his mission to inspire children through sports, showing them the physical and mental benefits.

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