Shirihoudai

(photo courtesty of Andy’s official website)

Andy Hug arguebly may not have been the best K1 fighter but there is no denying that he represented all that was pure in the sport.  A true warrior and showman, he never ceased to win over the crowd whether it be a spinning back fist, devasting axe kick, or that winning smile that just lit up the ring after a match.   I can pinpoint the exact moment when I became a K1 fan - Andy’s spinning back kick to Mike Bernado’s knee that resulted in a KO.  Up until that moment, I never saw fighting that you could KO someone with a leg kick. 

His life story is tragic.  Being able to retire from the sport on top, but then passing away a couple months later on August 24, 2000.   I’ll never forget his gyu-don commercials where he is holding a bento box in one hand and knocking down doors with his axe kick saying “gomennasaiyo!”  Those wacky commercials no doubt paved the way for other K1 athletes to cash in on Japan marketing (Bob Sapp).  In an age where corruption is tearing down the faculties of Japan mma, it was athletes like Andy who kept it afloat and still awe-inspriting.  Just felt compelled to write a little something about this guy after finding his website, thats all.