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.
Andy Hug 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.