Mishaël’s passion for Historical European Martial Arts began in 1992. He is the founder and president of AMEK, established in 2002, a company specializing in HEMA, events, and film. Cardozo Swordsport, part of AMEK, is his HEMA club, operating across four locations in the Netherlands and serving around 150 students.
Since 2008, Mishaël has been sharing his knowledge internationally, teaching 30 countries. His expertise lies in the 15th-century German fighting tradition, with a strong focus on Italian dagger and wrestling. Among his specializations are structure, biomechanics, and his renowned “flow drills” with one- and two-handed weapons.
Mishaël is not only a teacher but also a decorated martial artist. He has won various championships and gold medals in both competitive fighting and stage combat tournaments, achievements that reflect his ability to merge historical accuracy with practical application and performance.
His contributions to the historical European martial heritage in the Lowlands were officially recognized on July 12th, 2008, when he was knighted in Holland. Two years later, he founded HEFFAC, a prominent Lowlands HEMA Alliance uniting clubs from Holland and Belgium, which has since grown into an international organization. His dedication and accomplishments in martial arts have earned him three Hall of Fame awards.
Direct links:
English: www.AMEK.org
Dutch: www.ZWAARDVECHTEN.nl
