18/08/2026
Meet PKA Worldwide member Sasha De Vries.
Sascha de Vries began his martial arts journey in 1988, inspired by the American martial arts films of the 1980s. He started in Kung Fu and later expanded into Kempo Karate, Kickboxing, Krav Maga, and other combat systems. He holds black belts in Kung Fu, Kickboxing, and Krav Maga, competed in full-contact Sanda bouts, and became particularly recognized for his expertise with the nunchaku and tonfa.
From 1994 to 2014, de Vries competed in roughly 150 tournaments, becoming a German national champion, European champion, and two-time World Champion, including one ISKA world title. In 2000, he received the World Fairness Medal at the IBF World Championships for outstanding sportsmanship. He later served as ISKA Germany's national coach for forms.
Alongside his martial arts career, de Vries served twelve years with the German Military Police. As a team leader, he was responsible for his own operational team and also served as an officially licensed instructor in baton tactics, unarmed defensive tactics, arrest and control techniques, and close-combat skills. This combination of leadership, law-enforcement training, and martial arts experience continues to shape his approach to practical self-defense.
In 2006, de Vries founded Karate Fachsportschulen, which grew into Germany's largest children's karate school network. His system combines character development, personal safety, and age-appropriate physical development, with the goal of building confident, responsible, and resilient children.
De Vries also pioneered professional career pathways for martial arts instructors. His martial arts school network was the first in Germany to combine state-recognized sports-related vocational training with university degree programs that integrate professional work and academic study. The network has created structured career paths from instructor development through bachelor's and master's degrees to management and leadership positions.
Today, de Vries is regarded as one of Europe's leading martial arts business experts and is an internationally sought-after keynote speaker. He has presented at major industry events across Europe, the United States, Australia, and beyond on business growth, leadership, recruiting, communication, and professional martial arts school development. He also helped bring the U.S.-based Martial Arts SuperShow to Europe and co-organized its European premiere. Beyond business, he teaches international seminars in nunchaku, tonfa, law-enforcement defensive tactics, and military close-combat techniques.