Andreas “Andy” Hug (September 7, 1964 – August 24, 2000) was a Swiss Kyokushin Karateka and Kickboxer who competed in the heavyweight division. He was considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxers of all time. Hug began training in Kyokushin Karate at the age of ten in his native Switzerland.

Karate career:

Beginning his full contact karate career in the 80 kg/176 lb middleweight 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.

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 to Francisco Filho in the third round.

Fighting techniques:

Hug was renowned for his ability to execute numerous kicking techniques rarely seen in high-level competition and although he was usually smaller than his opponents, standing at 1.80m (5ft 11in) and being barely a heavyweight, weighing around 98.0 kg (216.1lbs) in his prime, he made up for his lack of size with his tremendous athleticism and speed. A southpaw, his trademark kicks included the axe kick and the “Hug Tornado”, a low spinning heel kick targeting his opponents’ thighs.

Movies and shows:

The hug was very popular in Japan for his high-kicking victories in the K-1 competitions and for his appearances on television variety shows, with the nicknames bestowed upon him such as The Blue-Eyed Samurai, Iron Man (Tetsujin in Japanese), Mr. K-1 and Typhoon. He was depicted as a hero in “manga” comics and also appeared in an Ultra man movie.

Accomplishments:

• 1991 5th World Championship defeat by ippon to Francisco Filho
• 1991 1st place heavy weight European Championship
• 1989 1st place heavy weight 4ste Ibusu Cup
• 1987 2nd place 4th World Championship defeat by decision to Shokei Matsui
• 1987 3rd place heavy weight European Championship
• 1985 1st place heavy weight 2nd Ibusu Cup
• 1985 1st place heavy weight European Championship
• 1983 1st place heavy weight 1ste Ibusu Cup

Titles:

• K-1 World Grand Prix 1998 Finalist
• K-1 World Grand Prix 1997 Finalist
• K-1 World Grand Prix 1996 Champion
• W.K.A. World & European Muay Thai Super Heavyweight Champion
• W.M.T.C World Super Heavyweight Champion
• U.K.F. World Super Heavyweight Champion
• Karate World Cup Finalist 1993
• Karate World Cup Champion 1992

Tragic death:

Andy Hug was diagnosed with acute leukemia on August 17, 2000. On August 23, he fell into a coma and his illness was made public. Hug died on August 24th, 2000, following breathing difficulties due to multiple organ failure. He was thirty-five years old.

Legacy:

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 of Martina Hingis and the games of the Swiss national football team. In addition to his in-ring accomplishments, he was also known for his articulation, humility, and strong work ethic.