An MMA star and former Olympian has taken a stand against hate and racism following a recent CBC News investigation that uncovered the presence of certain martial arts gym owners, coaches, and trainers at a secretive neo-Nazi event in Vancouver during the summer. Arjan Singh Bhullar, a heavyweight champion from Richmond with a background in mixed martial arts, expressed shock and disgust upon learning about the involvement of some individuals in the martial arts community with white supremacist activities.
In a statement to CBC’s On the Coast, Bhullar emphasized the importance of combating hate without resorting to violence, stating that such ideologies have no place in society or the realm of sports, particularly martial arts. Concerns about the infiltration of neo-Nazi and white supremacist movements into the martial arts community have been raised by researchers for some time, and the CBC News report identifying specific individuals involved in MMA who attended the neo-Nazi gathering prompted Bhullar to defend the positive values of the sport.
He highlighted martial arts as a unifying force that brings together diverse communities and cultures, emphasizing that those linked to extremist ideologies do not represent the true spirit of the sport or its community. Bhullar, who also runs a youth foundation, stressed the importance of promoting respect, discipline, and community through martial arts, underscoring that the sport’s intensity stops at physical and mental challenges without delving into extreme ideologies.
Additionally, the Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) issued a statement distancing itself from the individuals named in the CBC News report, affirming that they are not part of the organization and will not be allowed to join. The FIC, which counts several prominent gym chains among its members, announced plans to enhance inclusion within the industry by implementing measures such as revising its membership screening process to prevent individuals with extremist ties from accessing resources or events.
Furthermore, the council pledged to develop a national code of conduct to equip gyms, studios, and trainers with the tools to identify and address hate-based recruitment and activities. Zach Weston, the executive director of FIC, emphasized the industry’s commitment to uplifting Canadians in body, mind, and spirit, condemning any propagation of extremist ideologies that contradict the core values of the fitness industry.