Andy Hug

Andy Hug
Born	Andreas Hug (1964-09-07)September 7, 1964 Zurich,Switzerland
Died	August 24, 2000(2000-08-24)(aged 35) Bunkyō,Tokyo,Japan
Other names	The Blue-eyed Samurai Iron Man (TetsujininJapanese) Mr. K-1 Typhoon
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	97.7 kg (215 lb; 15.39 st)
Division	Heavyweight
Reach	1.83 m (72 in)
Style	Kyokushin Karate,Seidokaikan,Kick Boxing
Stance	Southpaw
Fighting out of	Lucerne,Switzerland
Team	Team Andy Hug Dojo Kamakura Hiranaka Boxing School Gym
Rank	5th degree black belt inKyokushinKarate
Years active	1977–2000
Kickboxingrecord
Total	47
Wins	37
By knockout	21
Losses	9
By knockout	6
Draws	1
Other information
Spouse	Ilona Hug ​ (1993⁠–⁠2000)​
Notable students	Xhavit Bajrami Björn Bregy,Petar Majstorović Michael McDonald
Medal record RepresentingSwitzerland Men'sKyokushin 4 Countries Team Tournament 1981 British Open London 1986 Heavyweight Dutch Open Weert 1981 Middleweight European Championships Barcelona 1985 Heavyweight Katowice 1987 Heavyweight Budapest 1989 Heavyweight Budapest 1989 Heavyweight Ibusz Oyama Cup Budapest 1982 Middleweight Budapest 1985 Heavyweight Sursee Cup Sursee 1988 Open Swiss Championships 1982 Middleweight 1984 Heavyweight 1985 Heavyweight Swiss Open 1985 Open Swiss Oyama Cup 1979 1981 World Open Tokyo 1987 Open Men'sSeidokaikan World Cup Osaka 1992 Open Osaka 1993 Open

Andreas"Andy"Hug(7 September 1964 – 24 August 2000) was aSwisskaratekaandkickboxerwho competed in theheavyweightdivision. Considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxers of all time,Hug was renowned for his ability to execute numerouskickingtechniques rarely seen in high-level competition. Although he was usually smaller than his opponents, standing at 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) and being barely a heavyweight, weighing around 98.0 kg (216.1 lb; 15.43 st) in his prime, he made up for his lack of size with his tremendous athleticism and speed. Asouthpaw,his trademark kicks included theaxe kickand the "Hug Tornado", a lowspinning heel kicktargeting his opponents' thighs.

Raised inWohlen, Aargau,Hug was a keenfootballerin his youth but gave up the sport to pursueKyokushinkarate which he began practicing at ten years old. Beginning hisfull contact karatecareer in the 80kg/176lbmiddleweight division, he rose to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s by winning numerous regional tournaments around Europe and made the transition to heavyweight in 1984. That same year, he competed in the Kyokushin World Open, knockdown karate's most prestigious competition, for the first time and made it to the fourth round where he was eliminated byShokei Matsui.Returning to Europe, he won his first major title in the form of the 3rd European Championships in 1985 before entering World Open again in 1987. He became the first non-Japanese fighter to make it to the final of the competition but again lost to Shokei Matsui. Another European Championships win would follow in 1989 and he fought in his third and final World Open in 1991, losing a controversial bout toFrancisco Filhoin the third round.

Having become a popular fighter inJapandue to his technical diversity, spectacular aesthetics, tactics and strength, Andy Hug made the switch from Kyokushinkaikan toSeidokaikanin 1992, completing the step from being an amateur to becoming a professional fighter and star in Japan. After winning the 1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup, beatingTaiei Kinin the final, and finishing as runner-up toMasaaki Satakein the 1993 edition, Hug then transitioned toK-1kickboxing, scoring a first roundknockoutof Ryuji Murakami in his professional debut atK-1 Andy's Glovein November 1993. After a breakout win overK-1 Grand Prix '93ChampionBranko Cikatićin March 1994, Hug entered theK-1 Grand Prix '94a month later as one of the tournament favourites but was upset byPatrick Smithvia first round stoppage in the quarter-finals. Undeterred, Hug continued to improve his skills for the kickboxing ring and rebounded by winning the Universal Kickboxing Federation (UKF) World Super Heavyweight Championship in December 1994 when he knocked out Rob van Esdonk. He suffered another setback at theK-1 Grand Prix '95 qualifying roundwhen he was stopped byMike Bernardobut he would have his revenge the following year at theK-1 Grand Prix '96when he won the tournament by finishing Bernardo with the "Hug Tornado" in the final. He continued to be one of K-1's top contenders in the following years, reaching the final of theK-1 World Grand Prixtwice more (in1997and1998) and becoming a three-timeworld championby taking theWMTCandWKAtitles underMuay Thairules.

In early August 2000, Hug started feeling unwell in Switzerland. On August 17, while training in Japan, he was given a diagnosis of acuteleukemia.He died, aged 35, a week later in Tokyo, the day after it was made public that he was comatose.Hug's sudden death shocked the martial arts world. His legacy remains as a true legend in kickboxing and knockdown karate, as well as one of the greatest heavyweights in the history of both sports. Hug was the highest paid kickboxer in the world at one point and his matches in his native Switzerland, where he posted a perfect 6–0 record, drew a larger television audience than the tennis matches ofMartina Hingisand the games of theSwitzerland national football team.In addition to his in-ring accomplishments, he was also known for his articulation, humility and strong work ethic.Hug was ranked at #79 onThe Top 100 Historical Persons in Japan,a television program aired onNippon Televisionon May 7, 2006 which featured the results of a survey that askedJapanese peopleto choose their favorite great person from history.

Early life

Andreas Hug was born inZurich,Switzerland on 7 September 1964. His father, Arthur, was a Swiss of French and Swiss descent and was aFrench Foreign Legionnaire.He died inThailandunder mysterious circumstances without ever seeing his son. Hug's mother, Madelaine Hug-Baumann, was German. She was forced to pursue gainful employment. Unable to care for Andy, she immediately put him up foradoptionand he spent the first three years of his life in anorphanageuntil his care was taken over by his grandparents along with his brother, Charly, and sister, Fabienne. His grandmother, Fridy, and grandfather, Herrmann Baumann, abricklayer,raised them inWohlenin theCantonofAargau.

Hug began playingassociation footballcompetitively at the age of six and went on to represent theSwitzerland national under-16 football team.However, his home situation also made him a target forbullyingand at ten years old, he started practisingKyokushinkaikarateat Wohlen karate school under Werner Schenker despite strong opposition from his grandfather initially. His grandmother saw the boy's passion for the art and eventually convinced the grandfather to relent. By thirteen, he began to show promise as a karateka by winning numerous beginners' karate tournaments and his grandparents eventually forced him to decide between pursuing football and karate, since they were no longer in a position to pay for both. He chose karate and at fifteen won the 1979 Swiss Oyama Cup, a national Kyokushin competition. Althoughfull contact karatetournaments carried with them a minimum age of twenty, he showed so much potential as one of the country's biggest prospects that the Swiss Karate Federation allowed the teenaged prodigy to compete nonetheless.

Following his breakout performance in the Oyama Cup, Hug earned himself a place on the Swiss national Kyokushin team and then became the co-founder of adojoinBremgartenaged seventeen.He completed hisbutcheryapprenticeship in 1984 and took a job in Wohlen's main wholesale butchery. However, his need for time off work regularly to compete in tournaments and occasional injuries which hindered his work performance meant that a shadow was cast over his working relationship and he was released from his contract by mutual agreement in 1986.

Career

Kyokushin career (1977–1991)

After winning a number of beginners' karate competitions, Andy Hug was selected to represent the Wohlen Karate School during the National Team Championships in November 1977. His breakthrough performance came at the Swiss national Oyama Cup in 1979 at the age of fifteen when he defeated several opponents much older than himself to take the tournament crown. In 1981, Hug had an upsurge in competition as he was part of the Swiss team that defeated the Dutch in the finals to win the 4 Countries Team Tournament and recorded his first international success by taking a bronze medal at the 5th Dutch Kyokushin Championships in the 80kg/176lbmiddleweight division inWeert,Netherlandsas he lost out to Koen Scharrenberg in the semi-finals. He also won the Swiss Oyama Cup for a second time that year, beating Heinz Muntweiler in the final, before further establishing himself as the country's top Kyokushin fighter by winning the 1982 Swiss Championships at middleweight. After reaching the round of sixteen in both the 2nd European Championships and the 6th Dutch Open, being eliminated by Jean-Pierre Louisset and Kenneth Felter respectively, Hug closed out the year by being crowned champion at the 1st Ibusz Oyama Cup inBudapest,Hungarywhere he defeated Mark Niedziokka in the final.

Hug again made it to the last sixteen at the 7th Dutch Open in 1983 and in 1984, he moved up to the heavyweight class with instant success, winning the Swiss nationals. In January 1984, he competed in the 3rd edition of the Kyokushin World Open, knockdown karate's most prestigious competition held once every four years. Andy was able to battle his way through and reached the final sixteen but lost toShokei Matsuion points. 1985 was another successful year for Hug as he won the Ibusz Oyama Cup for the second time and the Swiss nationals for the third time before taking his most notable prize to date when heoutpointedKlaus Rex in the final to win the 3rd edition of the European Championships inBarcelona,Spainin December of that year.

At the 11th British Open inLondon,Englandin 1986, he was eliminated at the semi-final round byMichael Thompson.They would then rematch at the same stage of the 4th European Kyokushin Championships inKatowice,Polandin May 1987 with the Englishman again coming out on top and forcing Hug to relinquish his title as European champion. Andy Hug returned to the World Open in November 1987 and made history by becoming the firstgaijinto reach the final of the tournament, booking his place with a judges' decision win overAkira Masudain the semis. There, he again faced Shokei Matsui and lost to his Japanese foe by decision once again.

With his status as an elite Kyokushin fighter secured, Hug began to compete more sparingly over the next few years. He won the 1st Sursee Cup in 1988, defeatingKenji Midoriin the final, and became a two-time European champion in 1989 when he beat Michael Thompson to win the 5th European Championships in Budapest.

After an uneventful year in 1990, Andy Hug returned to the spotlight in '91 when he reached the final of the 6th European Championships in Budapest only to lose to Michael Thompson once more. The 5th World Championships also took place that year at theBudokaninTokyo,Japan. In his third fight, Andy came up againstFrancisco Filho.At the end of the round, as the bell rang, Filho landed amawashi gerion the side of Hug's head which left him unconscious on the floor. Despite protest from the Swiss camp, it was later confirmed that Filho's kick had indeed struck after the bell rang, but he had started his move before the time was up and Filho was declared the winner.

Switch to Seidokaikan and entry into K-1 (1992–1993)

Having been fighting in Japan with success for a number of years, Hug became extremely popular in the country. The fans were impressed by his technical diversity, spectacular aesthetics, tactics and strength. In 1992, he made the switch from Kyokushinkaikan toSeidokaikan,completing the step from being an amateur to becoming a professional fighter and star in Japan. He debuted as a Seidokaikan karate fighter on July 30, 1992, defeating Toshiyuki Yanagisawa on points at theSeidokaikan Kakutogi Olympics II.He then competed in and won the 1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup on October 2, 1992, overcomingTaiei Kinin the final. On April 30, 1993, Hug fought inK-1for the first time, albeit under Seidokaikan rules, in a rematch withNobuaki Kakudaat theK-1 Grand Prix '93.The pair previously met at the second round of the 1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup with Hug winning byipponand the Swiss repeated his performance by stopping Kakuda with aknee strikefrom theThai clinchin round two.

Facing another of his previous opponents from the 1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup, he beat Minoru Fujita by decision atK-1 Sanctuary IIIon June 25, 1993. Undefeated as a Seidokaikan fighter, Hug entered theK-1 Illusion 1993 Karate World Cupon October 2, 1993, defeating Yoshinori Arata,Changpuek Kiatsongritand Toshiyuki Atokawa on his way to the final where he metMasaaki Satake.After four overtime rounds, the bout went to sudden death where Hug lost in atameshiwaricontest.

Following the tournament, Hug began his transition from full contact karate tokickboxingand, already a part of K-1's roster, made his debut against Ryuji Murakami atK-1 Andy's Gloveon November 15, 1993. He won by first roundknockout,dropping Murakami with a body kick early before finishing him off with a righthooksoon after. In a non-tournament attraction at theK-2 Grand Prix '93on December 19, 1993, Hug faced Eric Albert and hurt the Frenchman seconds after the opening bell when he rushed out and landed his trademarkaxe kickon his face. After a prolonged beating and a spinning back kick knockdown, Hug was able to put Albert away with a series of punches late in round two. In just his third outing in the kickboxing ring, he took a considerable step up in class as he faced off with the reigningK-1 World Grand PrixchampionBranko CikatićatK-1 Challengeon March 3, 1994. Struggling early due to his lack ofboxingprowess, Hug received astanding eight countfrom referee Genshu Igari in round one after being rocked by anuppercutfrom Cikatić. Hug, however, came into his own as the fight went on, utilizing his kicking game to better effect and boxing from the inside, even forcing a count of his own on the Croatian before winning aunanimous decisionafter five rounds.

Struggles at the World Grand Prix (1994–1995)

With the win over Branko Cikatić, Andy Hug proved himself to be competent kickboxer and was entered into his first K-1 World Grand Prix, fighting at theK-1 Grand Prix '94on April 30, 1994, where he facedPatrick Smithin the quarter-finals. Hug struggled with Smith's aggression and punch-heavy style, suffering three knockdowns in nineteen seconds and losing bytechnical knockout.Some pundits, most notoriouslyDave Meltzer,have expressed their belief that Hug's loss was afight fixedin order to increase Smith's popularity.Hug had problems with hisgumshieldas hismolarsdidn't clamp down on it properly and he was instead pinching it with hisincisors.In time, however, the K-1 doctors discovered the dental problems and fitted him with a mouthpiece that would provide standard protection.The rematch between Andy Hug and Pat Smith took place atK-1 Revengeon September 18, 1994, and the American again opened with an axe kick just as he done in the first fight. This time, however, Hug countered with the "Hug Tornado", sweeping Smith to the canvas. As the fight went on, Hug weathered Smith's aggressive start and completed his revenge when he knocked him unconscious with a knee at the 0:56 mark of round one. In a kickboxing match at the 1994 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup on October 2, 1994, he scored a third roundliver kickknockout ofDuke Roufusbefore closing out the year by winning the UKF World Super Heavyweight Championship with a spectacular fourth-round KO win against Rob van Esdonk atK-1 Legendon December 10, 1994.

On March 3, 1995, Hug entered the 1995 Grand Prix atthe round of sixteen qualifierwhere his rivalry withMike Bernardobegan. Both fighters traded heavy shots with Bernardo seemingly getting the better until Hug dropped him with a high kick towards the end of the first round. The South African boxer continued to pile on the pressure, however, and in the third, knocked Hug down with a left hook shortly followed by a standing eight count. Finally, he forced Hug into a corner and delivered a relentless beating on the Swiss karateka until referee Nobuaki Kakuda finally stopped the bout after a prolonged barrage of unanswered punches. Hug had a quick turnaround, as he was back in the ring on May 4, 1995, scoring a forty-five second knockout over Peter Kramer in aK-1 World Grand Prix 1995non-tournament affair. On June 10, 1995, Hug made the first defence of his UKF title against Dennis Lane atK-1 Fight NightinZurich,the first K-1 event held in Switzerland. In a rather one-sided fight, Andy Hug knocked Lane down twice in the first two rounds before the American quit on his stool.

Hug would then lose in his next two outings, firstly toErnesto Hoostbymajority decisionat theK-3 Grand Prix '95on July 16, 1995, and then Mike Bernardo by KO in a rematch atK-1 Revenge IIon September 3, 1995. The fight was even going into the latter stages of round two when Bernardo landed a right hook which sent Hug to the canvas. He was able to make it back to his feet but was clearly on wobbly legs and the referee in charge, Genshu Igari, stopped him from taking any more damage than was necessary.

Sitting on a less-than-spectacular 8–4 record and having lost in his previous two matches, Hug was struggling withdepressionand felt at odds with the sport, questioning whether or not he had it in him to continue at the elite level.He persisted, however, after a rejuvenating unanimous decision win overJérôme Le BanneratK-1 Herculeson December 9, 1995, and went into the 1996 campaign in good form.

Winning the K-1 World Grand Prix Championship (1996)

Kicking off the most successful year of his career, Andy Hug demolished an overmatchedBart Valeat theK-1 Grand Prix '96 Opening Battleon March 3, 1996, to qualify for theK-1 Grand Prix '96which was held two months later on May 6. After making short work of Duane van der Merwe with a KO inside forty seconds at the tournament's quarter-final stage, awaiting Hug was Ernesto Hoost in the semis and the pair had an epic battle considered to be one of the greatest matches inK-1's history.A back-and-forth fight in which Hoost delivered punishinglow kicksthroughout and both fighters traded heavily inthe clinch,the judges ruled it asplit drawafter the regulation three rounds and so it went to an extension round to decide the winner only for it again to be scored amajority draw.Finally, after five grueling rounds, Hug was ruled the victor bysplit decision.In the final, he went up against Mike Bernardo, the South African power puncher who had knocked him out twice previously. It was not to be three-in-a-row for Bernardo, however, as a combination of fatigue and Hug's low kicks began to wear him down in the second round. Bernardo went down from aroundhouse kickto his left thigh but got back to his feet only for Hug to deliver one of the most spectacular stoppages of the 1990s, landing the "Hug Tornado" on Bernardo's already-injured left leg to put him away and clinch the coveted K-1 World Grand Prix Championship.

Hug returned to Zurich to faceMuay Thaistylist Sadau Kiatsongrit in his second and last defence of the UKF super heavyweight title atK-1 Fight Night IIon June 2, 1996, dispatching the Thai with a right hook at the end of round two after flooring him moments earlier. At September 1'sK-1 Revenge '96,Hug fought the first of his own six Muay Thai matches, challengingStan Longinidisfor hisWMTCWorld Super Heavyweight (+95 kg/209 lb) Championship. They exchanged heavy strikes in a close first round but Hug then went out and severely outgunned Longinidis in the second, knocking his Australian opponent down with a high kick before viciously finishing the job with a leftcrossafter he beat the count.

AtK-1 Star Wars '96on October 18, 1996, Andy Hug beat Masaaki Satake by unanimous decision in a rather lackluster rematch of the 1993 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup final to win his third title in the span on five months, theWKAWorld Super Heavyweight (+95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai strap.He finished out the year a perfect 8–0 with another unanimous decision win, this time over fellow karatekaMusashiatK-1 Hercules '96on December 8, 1996.

Twice consecutive Grand Prix runner-up (1997–1998)

Andy Hug's eight fight win streak was brought to an end by then-two-time K-1 Grand Prix championPeter Aertsin the first of their four meetings atK-1 Kings '97on March 16, 1997. Soundly beaten inside the opening stanza, he was hurt by Aerts' right hand a number of times before being put away with a combination of an uppercut and a knee. He then fought to a five-round split draw withSam GrecoatK-1 Braves '97on April 29, 1997, before having his fourth and final battle with Mike Bernardo in his first WKA world super heavyweight title defence on June 7, 1997, atK-1 Fight Night '97in Zurich. Bernardo registered a knockdown of Hug with a powerful left hook at the end of round two but it was not enough as Hug took the unanimous decision in the only fight of their 2–2 series to go the distance.

On July 20, 1997, atK-1 Dream '97,Andy Hug met Francisco Filho in a rematch almost six years in the making; Filho had KO'd Hug at the third round of the 5th Kyokushin World Open back in 1991. The fight started tense and cagey, with little to no action for the majority of round one until Filho, making his debut under kickboxing rules, landed the decisive strike, a perfectly timed counter right hook, which sent Hug crashing to the canvas in a state of unconsciousness at the 2:37 mark.

With a record of 1-2-1 that year, he entered the Grand Prix in relatively poor form but qualified for the final eight nonetheless with a win overPierre GuénetteatK-1 Grand Prix '97 1st roundon September 7, 1997, putting away the Canadiantaekwondoexponent with three knockdowns inside the first round. Theround of eightwent down on November 9 and saw the rubber match between Andy Hug and Masaaki Satake in the quarter-finals go just fifteen seconds as the Swiss dispatched his Japanese foe with a high kick. In the semis, Hug drew Peter Aerts and avenged his loss to the Dutchman eight months prior with a unanimous judges' decision victory. Having fought his way through to the final, he then lost to Ernesto Hoost by unanimous decision in the third of their four matches.

He rebounded with a unanimous decision victory overCurtis Schusteron April 9, 1998, atK-1 Kings '98and then had his third meeting with Peter Aerts in Zurich on June 6, 1998, atK-1 Fight Night '98.With his WKA World Super Heavyweight Muay Thai Championship on the line, Hug outfought Aerts over the five rounds to take a unanimous decision and make the second defence of his belt. On August 7, 1998, at theK-1 USA Grand Prix '98,K-1's first venture into theUnited StatesandLas Vegas,he dismantled Mike LaBree inside the first round, forcing him into a corner before stopping him with a flurry of punches immediately followed by a thudding low kick.

The 1998 Grand Prix began on September 27 with the round of sixteen at theK-1 World Grand Prix '98 opening roundwhere Hug faced off with Mark Russell, one of the few opponents in his career who he had a size advantage over. He scored a knockdown over England's Russell in the latter part of round one and finished the job in two with a second consecutive leg kick stoppage. In a tune-up fight ahead of the Grand Prix finals, Hug KO'd Masaaki Miyamoto with aspinning backfistmoments after dropping him with the same technique atK-1 Japan '98 Kamikazeon October 28, 1998.

At theK-1 Grand Prix '98 Final Roundon December 13, 1998, he TKO'dRay Sefoin the second round of their quarter-final match, knocking the New Zealander down twice with aggressive boxing combinations and forcing referee Nobuaki Kakuda to stop the fight,before securing a majority decision against Sam Greco in the semis, a rematch of their draw a year earlier. There was also some controversy in the fight as both men continued to fight after the bell rung at the end of round two, with Greco knocking Hug to the canvas with a right hand. The tournament final saw Andy Hug draw Peter Aerts once again and in their fourth and final match against one another, Aerts emerged victorious via head kick knockout in the first round.

Later career and coaching (1999–2000)

1999 was the most successful year for K-1 since its inception. Record numbers of spectators were recorded for all tournaments. Around this time, Hug also turned his hand to training other competitors at his facility inLucerne,Switzerland, bringing through the next generation of Swiss heavyweights inXhavit Bajrami,Björn BregyandPetar Majstorovićas well as foreign talent such asMichael McDonald.

He began 1999 in devastating fashion, knocking outTsuyoshi Nakasakowith a second roundspinning heel kickatK-1 Rising Sun '99on February 3and scoring a second TKO over Ray Sefo in their rematch atK-1 Revenge '99on April 25 when the New Zealander's corner pulled their fighter out at the end of round four due to damage sustained. During that fourth round, Sefo was down for over four minutes and was seen by ringside physicians after sustaining alow blowbefore suffering two knockdowns, one from a low kick and the other a barrage of unanswered strikes.Hug then registered back-to-back unanimous decision victories overStefan Leko,in his third defence of the WKA strap atK-1 Fight Night '99on June 5, andMaurice Smith,atK-1 Spirits '99on August 22. Continuing his winning streak into the 1999 K-1 World Grand Prix, he flooredHiromi Amadatwice with low kicks then finished him with a spinning heel kick in round one at theK-1 World Grand Prix '99 opening roundon October 5. In the quarter-finals of theK-1 Grand Prix '99 final round,which was held on December 5, Hug met Ernesto Hoost for the fourth and last time. As early as the first round, Hug exacerbated a pre-existing groin injury. This handicap was so severe that it forced him to abandon a large part of his arsenal in his kicking game, and he dropped a unanimous decision.

Hug went 4–0 in 2000, the year of his death. He took a majority decision in his rematch with Musashi atK-1 Burning 2000on March 19 and a unanimous decision againstGlaube Feitosaafter a back-and-forth war atK-1 The Millenniumon April 23. In his Swiss retirement fight (his last fight in Switzerland) as well as his fourth and last WKA title defence, Hug defeatedMirko Cro CopatK-1 Fight Night 2000on June 3. Cro Cop put him under pressure with his boxing at numerous times, but Hug stayed active with his kicks and did enough to take the unanimous decision.

In what would prove to be his final match, Andy Hug scored a quick knockout overNobu HayashiatK-1 Spirits 2000on July 7, 2000, sending his Japanese opponent to the canvas twice inside the first round. He was planning a retirement match and a move into acting in the near future at the time of his death.

Personal life

Andy met his wife Ilona Hug (born July 4, 1964) in summer 1987 while she was working as a fitness trainer and modeland the couple married inInwilon August 28, 1993.Their son, Seya, was born at Lucerne's Klinik Saint Anna on November 19, 1994.Around 1996, it became a struggle for Andy to see his family regularly due to his commitments in Japan and he encouraged Ilona to fulfill her desire to study art and design. Ilona and Seya moved to the United States where she attended theSanta Monica College of Design, Art and Architecturefor two years before returning to Switzerland upon completion of her studies.

During the late 1990s, Hug was frequently rumored in the Japanese media to be romantically involved with model and actressNorika Fujiwara.

Death

Andy Hug was in Switzerland in early August 2000 when he suffered more than thirty-nine attacks of highfeverand heavynosebleeding.He visited a hospital for medical tests and examination but doctors found no sign of illness. Despite the advice of the doctors and his manager Rene Ernst, Hug travelled to Japan on 14 August to train ahead of his planned participation in theK-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Fukuoka.On 15 August, his Swiss personal physician found a swollentumoron the left side of Hug's neck and declared itmalignant.He was rushed to theNippon Medical Schoolhospital inBunkyō,Tokyo on 19 August after suffering more feverish attacks. The doctors diagnosedleukemiaand beganchemotherapyimmediately. They also warned Hug that due to heart and circulation problems he had suffered for a while, the chemotherapy treatment might in fact adversely affect his condition. The doctors' warnings proved true when, after starting chemotherapy, Hug sufferedhemorrhaging of the brainand inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia) combined with extreme fever. His body showed all the signs of acute leukemia: purple spots, digestion pipe bleeding, eyeball bleeding, urinary tract bleeding and genital bleeding.

On the morning of 21 August, Seidokaikan and K-1 founderKazuyoshi Ishiivisited Hug at the hospital and Hug told him that if he should die soon, he would like to die in Japan. Andy was reportedly in good condition on 22 August, watching television, eating without help and speaking to Ilona on the telephone. That day, he also released the following statement:

"Dear Fans,

I think that you will be shocked when you hear in what state of health I am. When the doctor told me about it, it was an enormous shock even for myself. But I want to inform you about my state of health so that I can fight together with you against this illness. This illness is the most severe opponent of all my fights. But I will win. As if I would stand in the ring I will get power from your cheers and beat this strong opponent. Unfortunately I will not be able to fight at the tournament in October. I will fight against this illness in Japan and one day I will appear again with you. Don't lose hope!

Greetings,

Andy Hug "- The message Hug posted to his fans on the internet on 22 August 2000, after learning of his illness.

His condition worsened on 23 August as he had difficulty breathing in the morning and by afternoon had fallen into acomaand was placed on alife supportsystem. While in the coma, his heart stopped three times but the doctors were able to regain his pulse. When his heart stopped a fourth time on 24 August, the doctors decided against reviving him and let him pass away. He was pronounced dead at 4:21 pm on 24 August 2000, two weeks short of his thirty-sixth birthday.

Reporting of Hug's death was broadcast live on Japanese news channelsFuji Television,Japan News Network,NHK WorldandTV Asahi.Peter Aerts,who was at the Nippon Medical School hospital having treatment on his lower back at the time, broke down crying for over two hours when told of Hug's passing. When interviewed, he dedicated his performance in the forthcomingK-1 World Grand Prix 2000 Finalto Hug. An hour-long press conference attended by the five doctors who treated Hug, Kazuyoshi Ishii and Francisco Filho was also held at 8:45 pm that night.

Hug's funeral was held on 27 August atZenpuku-jiinMoto-Azabu,Tokyo where his body was cremated. Eight hundred guests including Kazuyoshi Ishii,Hajime Kazumi,Akira Masuda, Shokei Matsui, Kenji Midori andSwiss PresidentAdolf Ogiattended while more than twelve thousand mourners gathered outside. K-1 fighters Francisco Filho, Nobuaki Kakuda andNicholas Pettaswere among thepall-bearers.His ashes were deposited in the cemetery of the Hoshuin temple inKyoto.

Championships and awards

Karate

• 4 Countries Team Tournament
  • 4 Countries Team Tournament Champion
• European Kyokushin Championships
  • 3rd European Kyokushin Championships Heavyweight Gold Medalist
  • 4th European Kyokushin Championships Heavyweight Bronze Medalist
  • 5th European Kyokushin Championships Heavyweight Gold Medalist
  • 6th European Kyokushin Championships Heavyweight Silver Medalist
• Ibusz Oyama Cup
  • 1st Ibusz Oyama Cup Middleweight Gold Medalist
  • 2nd Ibusz Oyama Cup Heavyweight Gold Medalist
• Kyokushin British Open
  • 11th Kyokushin British Open Bronze Medalist
• Kyokushin Dutch Open
  • 5th Kyokushin Dutch Open Middleweight Bronze Medalist
• Kyokushin Swiss Open
  • 1985 Kyokushin Swiss Open Gold Medalist
• Kyokushin World Open
  • 4th Kyokushin World Open Silver Medalist
• Seidokaikan Karate World Cup
  • 1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup Gold Medalist
  • 1993 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup Silver Medalist
• Sursee Cup
  • 1st Sursee Cup Gold Medalist
• Swiss Kyokushin Championships
  • 1982 Swiss Kyokushin Championships Middleweight Gold Medalist
  • 1984 Swiss Kyokushin Championships Heavyweight Gold Medalist
• Swiss Oyama Cup
  • 1979 Swiss Oyama Cup Gold Medalist
  • 1981 Swiss Oyama Cup Gold Medalist

Kickboxing

• Black Belt Magazine
  • 2001 Honorary Award
• K-1
  • K-1 World Grand Prix 1996 Championship
  • K-1 World Grand Prix 1997 Runner-up
  • K-1 World Grand Prix 1998 Runner-up
• Universal Kickboxing Federation
  • UKF World Super Heavyweight Championship (One time)
  • Two successful title defences
• World Kickboxing Association
  • WKA World Super Heavyweight (+95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai Championship (One time)
  • Four successful title defences
• World Muay Thai Council
  • WMTC World Super Heavyweight (+95 kg/209 lb) Championship (One time)

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record

37 Wins (22 (T)KO's), 9 Losses, 1 Draw
Date	Result	Opponent	Event	Location	Method	Round	Time	Record
2000-07-07	Win	Nobu Hayashi	K-1 Spirits 2000	Sendai, Japan	KO (left cross)	1	2:05	37–9–1
2000-06-03	Win	Mirko Cro Cop	K-1 Fight Night 2000	Zurich,Switzerland	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	36–9–1
Retains theWKAWorld Super Heavyweight (+95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai Championship.
2000-04-23	Win	Glaube Feitosa	K-1 The Millennium	Osaka, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	35–9–1
2000-03-19	Win	Musashi	K-1 Burning 2000	Yokohama, Japan	Decision (majority)	5	3:00	34–9–1
1999-12-05	Loss	Ernesto Hoost	K-1 Grand Prix '99 final round,quarter-finals	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	33–9–1
1999-10-05	Win	Hiromi Amada	K-1 World Grand Prix '99 opening round,first round	Osaka, Japan	TKO (right spinning heel kick)	1	1:51	33–8–1
1999-09-22	Win	Maurice Smith	K-1 Spirits '99	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	32–8–1
1999-06-05	Win	Stefan Leko	K-1 Fight Night '99	Zurich,Switzerland	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	31–8–1
Retains theWKAWorld Super Heavyweight (+95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai Championship.
1999-04-25	Win	Ray Sefo	K-1 Revenge '99	Yokohama, Japan	TKO (corner stoppage)	4	3:00	30–8–1
1999-02-03	Win	Tsuyoshi Nakasako	K-1 Rising Sun '99	Tokyo, Japan	KO (right spinning heel kick)	2	0:22	29–8–1
1998-12-13	Loss	Peter Aerts	K-1 Grand Prix '98 Final Round,Final	Tokyo, Japan	KO (left high kick)	1	1:10	28–8–1
ForK-1 Grand Prix '98 Championship.
1998-12-13	Win	Sam Greco	K-1 Grand Prix '98 Final Round,semi-finals	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (majority)	3	3:00	28–7–1
1998-12-13	Win	Ray Sefo	K-1 Grand Prix '98 Final Round,quarter-finals	Tokyo, Japan	TKO (punches)	2	2:28	27–7–1
1998-10-28	Win	Masaaki Miyamoto	K-1 Japan '98 Kamikaze	Tokyo, Japan	KO (spinning backfist)	1	2:50	26–7–1
1998-09-27	Win	Mark Russell	K-1 World Grand Prix '98 opening round,first round	Osaka, Japan	KO (left low kick)	2	3:07	25–7–1
1998-08-07	Win	Mike LaBree	K-1 USA Grand Prix '98	Las Vegas, Nevada, USA	KO (right low kick)	1	2:11	24–7–1
1998-06-06	Win	Peter Aerts	K-1 Fight Night '98	Zurich,Switzerland	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	23–7–1
Retains theWKAWorld Super Heavyweight (+95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai Championship.
1998-04-09	Win	Curtis Schuster	K-1 Kings '98	Yokohama, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	22–7–1
1997-11-09	Loss	Ernesto Hoost	K-1 Grand Prix '97 Final,Final	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	21–7–1
For theK-1 Grand Prix '97 Championship.
1997-11-09	Win	Peter Aerts	K-1 Grand Prix '97 Final,semi-finals	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	21–6–1
1997-11-09	Win	Masaaki Satake	K-1 Grand Prix '97 Final,quarter-finals	Tokyo, Japan	KO (left high kick)	1	0:15	20–6–1
1997-09-07	Win	Pierre Guénette	K-1 Grand Prix '97 1st round,first round	Osaka, Japan	KO (right hook)	1	1:49	19–6–1
1997-07-20	Loss	Francisco Filho	K-1 Dream '97	Nagoya, Japan	KO (right hook)	1	2:37	18–6–1
1997-06-07	Win	Mike Bernardo	K-1 Fight Night '97	Zurich,Switzerland	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	18–5–1
Retains theWKAWorld Super Heavyweight (+95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai Championship.
1997-04-29	Draw	Sam Greco	K-1 Braves '97	Fukuoka, Japan	Draw (split)	5	3:00	17–5–1
1997-03-16	Loss	Peter Aerts	K-1 Kings '97	Yokohama, Japan	KO (right uppercut and left knee)	1	1:55	17–5
1996-12-08	Win	Musashi	K-1 Hercules '96	Nagoya, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	17–4
1996-10-18	Win	Masaaki Satake	K-1 Star Wars '96	Yokohama, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	16–4
Wins theWKAWorld Super Heavyweight (+95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai Championship.
1996-09-01	Win	Stan Longinidis	K-1 Revenge '96	Osaka, Japan	KO (left cross)	2	2:00	15–4
Wins theWMTCWorld Super Heavyweight (+95 kg/209 lb) Championship.
1996-06-02	Win	Sadau Kiatsongrit	K-1 Fight Night II	Zurich,Switzerland	KO (right hook)	2	3:00	14–4
Retains the UKF World Super Heavyweight Championship.
1996-05-06	Win	Mike Bernardo	K-1 Grand Prix '96,Final	Yokohama, Japan	KO (left spinning heel kick to the leg)	2	1:18	13–4
Wins theK-1 Grand Prix '96 Championship.
1996-05-06	Win	Ernesto Hoost	K-1 Grand Prix '96,semi-finals	Yokohama, Japan	2nd extension round decision (split)	5	3:00	12–4
1996-05-06	Win	Duane van der Merwe	K-1 Grand Prix '96,quarter-finals	Yokohama, Japan	KO (left hook)	1	0:40	11–4
1996-03-10	Win	Bart Vale	K-1 Grand Prix '96 Opening Battle,first round	Yokohama, Japan	TKO (punches)	1	2:24	10–4
1995-12-09	Win	Jérôme Le Banner	K-1 Hercules	Nagoya, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	9–4
1995-09-03	Loss	Mike Bernardo	K-1 Revenge II	Yokohama, Japan	KO (right hook)	2	2:43	8–4
1995-07-16	Loss	Ernesto Hoost	K-3 Grand Prix '95	Nagoya, Japan	Decision (majority)	3	3:00	8–3
1995-06-10	Win	Dennis Lane	K-1 Fight Night	Zurich,Switzerland	TKO (corner stoppage)	2	3:00	8–2
Retains the UKF World Super Heavyweight Championship.
1995-05-04	Win	Peter Kramer	K-1 World Grand Prix 1995	Tokyo, Japan	KO (left overhand)	1	0:45	7–2
1995-03-03	Loss	Mike Bernardo	K-1 Grand Prix '95 Opening Battle,first round	Tokyo, Japan	TKO (punches)	3	2:39	6–2
1994-12-10	Win	Rob van Esdonk	K-1 Legend	Nagoya, Japan	KO (left hook)	4	0:55	6–1
Wins the UKF World Super Heavyweight Championship.
1994-10-02	Win	Duke Roufus	1994 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup	Japan	KO (left body kick)	3	2:17	5–1
1994-09-18	Win	Patrick Smith	K-1 Revenge	Yokohama, Japan	KO (left knee)	1	0:56	4–1
1994-04-30	Loss	Patrick Smith	K-1 Grand Prix '94,quarter-finals	Tokyo, Japan	KO (right uppercut)	1	0:19	3–1
1994-03-04	Win	Branko Cikatić	K-1 Challenge	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	3–0
1993-12-19	Win	Eric Albert	K-2 Grand Prix '93	Tokyo, Japan	KO (punches)	2	2:08	2–0
1993-11-15	Win	Ryuji Murakami	K-1 Andy's Glove	Tokyo, Japan	KO (right hook)	1	2:10	1–0
Legend:WinLossDraw/No contestNotes

Karate record

Kyokushin record

Date	Result	Opponent	Event	Location	Method	Round	Time
1991-11-00	Loss	Francisco Filho	5th Kyokushin World Open, Third Round	Tokyo, Japan	Ippon
1989-07-00	Loss	Michael Thompson	6th European Kyokushin Championships, Final	Budapest, Hungary
Wins the 6th European Kyokushin Championships Heavyweight Silver Medal.
1989-00-00	Win	Michael Thompson	5th European Kyokushin Championships, Final	Budapest, Hungary
Wins the 5th European Kyokushin Championships Heavyweight Gold Medal.
1988-00-00	Win	Kenji Midori	1st Sursee Cup, Final	Sursee, Switzerland
Wins the 1st Sursee Cup Gold Medal.
1987-11-08	Loss	Shokei Matsui	4th Kyokushin World Open, Final	Tokyo, Japan	Decision
Wins the 4th Kyokushin World Open Silver Medal.
1987-11-08	Win	Akira Masuda	4th Kyokushin World Open, Fifth Round	Tokyo, Japan	Decision
1987-11-08	Win	Ademir da Costa	4th Kyokushin World Open, Fourth Round	Tokyo, Japan	Awase ippon
1987-11-08	Win	Yasuhiro Kuwashima	4th Kyokushin World Open, Third Round	Tokyo, Japan	Ippon
1987-11-08	Win	Masashi Kimoto	4th Kyokushin World Open, Second Round	Tokyo, Japan	Decision
1987-11-00	Win	Stefan Gopel	4th Kyokushin World Open, first round	Tokyo, Japan	Ippon
1987-05-00	Loss	Michael Thompson	4th European Kyokushin Championships, semi-finals	Katowice, Poland
1986-00-00	Loss	Michael Thompson	11th Kyokushin British Open, semi-finals	London, England
1985-12-00	Win	Klaus Rex	3rd European Kyokushin Championships, Final	Barcelona, Spain	Decision
Wins the 3rd European Kyokushin Championships Heavyweight Gold Medal.
1985-04-00	Win	Michel Wedel	2nd Ibusz Oyama Cup, Final	Budapest, Hungary
Wins the 2nd Ibusz Oyama Cup Heavyweight Gold Medal.
1985-00-00	Win	Klaus Rex	1985 Kyokushin Swiss Open, Final	Switzerland
Wins the 1985 Kyokushin Swiss Open Gold Medal.
1984-01-00	Loss	Shokei Matsui	3rd Kyokushin World Open, Fifth Round	Tokyo, Japan	Decision
1983-00-00	Loss	Flemming Jinzen	7th Kyokushin Dutch Open, Round of 16	Alkmaar, Netherlands
1983-06-00	Win	Mark Niedziokka	1st Ibusz Oyama Cup, Final	Budapest, Hungary
Wins the 1st Ibusz Oyama Cup Middleweight Gold Medal.
1982-00-00	Loss	Kenneth Felter	6th Kyokushin Dutch Open, Round of 16	Netherlands
1982-00-00	Loss	Jean-Pierre Louisset	2nd European Kyokushin Championships, Round of 16	London, England
1982-00-00	Win	Gabriel Marxer	1982 Swiss Kyokushin Championships, Final	Switzerland
Wins the 1982 Swiss Kyokushin Championships Middleweight Gold Medal.
1981-00-00	Win	Heinz Muntweiler	1981 Swiss Oyama Cup, Final	Switzerland
Wins the 1981 Swiss Oyama Cup Gold Medal.
1981-00-00	Loss	Koen Scharrenberg	5th Kyokushin Dutch Open, semi-finals	Weert, Netherlands

Seidokaikan record

Date	Result	Opponent	Event	Location	Method	Round	Time	Record
1995-10-08	Win	Michael Thompson	1995 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup	Osaka, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	5	3:00	13-1
1994-10-02	Win	Duke Roufus	1994 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup	Osaka, Japan	KO (Kick to the Body)	3	2:17	12-1
1993-10-03	Loss	Masaaki Satake	K-1 Illusion 1993 Karate World CupFinal	Osaka, Japan	Tameshiwari	5	3:00	11–1
For the 1993 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup Championship. After four overtime rounds, the bout went to sudden death where Hug lost in aTameshiwaricontest.
1993-10-03	Win	Toshiyuki Atokawa	K-1 Illusion 1993 Karate World Cup,semi-finals	Osaka, Japan	Decision	1	3:00	11–0
1993-10-02	Win	Changpuek Kiatsongrit	K-1 Illusion 1993 Karate World Cup,quarter-finals	Osaka, Japan	Decision	1	3:00	10–0
1993-10-02	Win	Yoshinori Arata	K-1 Illusion 1993 Karate World Cup,first round	Osaka, Japan	KO	1		9–0
1993-06-25	Win	Minoru Fujita	K-1 Sanctuary III	Osaka, Japan	Decision	1	3:00	8–0
1993-04-30	Win	Nobuaki Kakuda	K-1 Grand Prix '93	Tokyo, Japan	KO (left knee)	2	1:26	7–0
1992-10-04	Win	Taiei Kin	1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup, Final					6–0
Wins the 1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup Championship.
1992-10-03	Win	Shuji Suzuki	1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup, semi-finals		KO (Awase Ippon)			5–0
1992-10-02	Win	Minoru Fujita	1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup, quarter-finals		Decision	1	3:00	4–0
1992-10-02	Win	Nobuaki Kakuda	1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup, Second Round		Ippon			3–0
1992-10-02	Win	Gozen Morita	1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup, first round		Ippon			2–0
1992-07-30	Win	Toshiyuki Yanagisawa	Seidokaikan Kakutogi Olympic II	Tokyo, Japan	Decision	5	3:00	1–0

Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes

External links

• Official website
• Andy HugatFind a Grave
• Official K-1 profile
• K-1Sport profile
• IKF profile