El Otmani suffered from cancer. Last year it was announced that the disease had worsened. He had a very aggressive brain tumor that turned out to be incurable. His death was commemorated in a well-attended prayer meeting in the Arrabitha Mosque this afternoon.
Gym
El Otmani was not only a well-known name as a kickboxer, later people mainly knew him as a gym owner and youth worker. He had a gym on Johan Huizingalaan in Slotervaart, the El Otmani Gym. From that organization, in addition to training, he also arranged homework assistance and various projects with, for example, schools or the probation service.
“You taught us respect and masculinity,” can be read on the gym’s Instagram account. “On the main road you gave us wise lessons. You did not accept being bullied or made fun of and you put a lot of effort into your family and community.”
Successful kickboxer Rico Verhoeven also reflected on his death today. “We have lost a great one. A true legend. Rest in powermy friend,” wrote Verhoeven.
Bridge builder
“It was a great thing, a heart of gold,” says one of the visitors to the prayer meeting. “His doors were always open to the youth. Anyone could train with him, money or no money.” Another: “He was a bridge builder between the different multicultural communities in Amsterdam.”
“I will especially miss his laugh. His pleasant madness. Great.”
Rico Verhoeven sent this post last year when it became known that El Otmani was seriously ill: