An MMA champion and Olympian has condemned hate and racism following an investigation by CBC News that revealed the presence of certain martial arts gym owners, coaches, and trainers at a secretive neo-Nazi conference in Vancouver during the summer. Arjan Singh Bhullar, a former heavyweight champion in mixed martial arts (MMA) from Richmond who represented Canada at the 2012 London Olympics, expressed shock and disgust upon learning about the involvement of some individuals in the martial arts community with white supremacist activities.
Bhullar emphasized the importance of combating hate without perpetuating it, stating that there is no place for such ideologies in society and especially in sports like martial arts. He highlighted that the actions of a few individuals do not represent the broader martial arts community, which should stand for respect, discipline, and inclusivity.
There have been warnings from researchers about the infiltration of neo-Nazi and white supremacist movements in the martial arts world. Despite specific individuals being named in CBC’s investigation, Bhullar swiftly defended the positive aspects of the sport, emphasizing its ability to bring people from diverse backgrounds together.
Bhullar, who also runs a foundation for youth, stressed that martial arts should promote values of respect and community building. He reiterated that while the sport may push physical and mental limits, it does not align with extremist ideologies. The Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) also issued a statement denouncing the individuals identified in the news report and outlined steps to enhance inclusivity within the fitness industry, including developing guidelines to prevent extremist influences and hate activities.
FIC’s executive director, Zach Weston, highlighted the industry’s commitment to uplifting Canadians and emphasized that any propagation of extremist ideologies goes against the core values of the fitness community.
