Bert Kops, Sr.

As the Dutch wrestling champion, 35-year-old Bert Kops was selected to attend the 1972 Munich Olympics. He travelled there some weeks before his competition day, and trained with many other wrestlers also attending. In particular, he befriended Israeli wrestler Mark Slavin. When Slavin, along with other Israeli athletes, was murdered in the terrorist attack by Black September, Kops decided to withdraw and returned home without having competed - one of five Dutch competitors withdrawing after the terrorist attack.

Kops won a total of 30 Dutch titles. Internationally, his best result was a sixth place at the 1972 European championships. His son, Bert Jr., also competed in wrestling. In 1979 the younger Kops was second at the Junior World Championships in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. In May 1985, Bert Kops opened his own gym. The gym, later managed by his son Bert Jr., trained many combat athletes, including Pedro van Raamsdonk and Alex Blanchard, both boxers.