Huge in Japan: Andy Hug, the “samurai with the blue eyes”. Image: AP
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Unforgettable
Andy Hug celebrates the greatest success of his life, which ends far too soon
May 6, 1996: Andy Hug wins the “K-1 World Grand Prix Finale” in Yokohama. In Japan the butcher from Wohlen has long been a celebrated martial artist. His early death only four years later made him a legend.
He was probably the greatest martial artist that Switzerland ever had. But Andy Hug had to take a detour to be considered something in his own country. From Japan, “the blue-eyed samurai” conquered hearts at home too.
Inspired by “Andy, Andy” calls from Japanese fans, Hug won the “K-1 World Grand Prix Finale” in 1996. Video: YouTube / Christo Alves
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Hug grows up with two siblings with his grandparents in Wohlen. His father, who was with the Foreign Legion and whom he never saw, died early. They would have lived in poor conditions, he later reports, without a shower, bath or hot water. Andy Hug is talented as a footballer, but his real passion is martial arts.
He wins tournaments early, comes to karate-nati as a teenager and contests his first World Cup in 1983 when he was 19. At the same time, he is completing an apprenticeship as a butcher. This and the sport keep him on the right track, because at times he threatens to drift off as a party animal, racket and occasional thief.
The legendary “Andy Kick”
His career experienced the decisive turning point in 1993: Karateka became a K-1 fighter. The newly invented martial arts combines elements of karate, kung fu and kick boxing and seems to Hug to be tailored to his abilities.
His “Andy Kick” is particularly feared. No other fighter brings the leg as high as he can, Hug can hit the heel on the opponent’s head or shoulder with a full check. If the “Andy Kick” is sitting, in most cases it means the knockout.
Hug 1999 with the “Andy Kick” against the Dutchman Ernesto Hoost. Picture: AP / Nikkan Sports
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Three fights in one afternoon for a great triumph
The highlight of his career was May 6, 1996. At the “K-1 World Grand Prix Finale” in Yokohama, he beat Duane Van der Merwe in the quarter-finals and Ernesto Hoost in the semifinals before facing Mike Bernardo in the final in the third fight of the day . The South African had knocked out Hug twice in previous fights and is considered his biggest rival.
But this Monday in Japan the Swiss is on guard. With a “Hug Tornado” he sends his opponent onto the boards. Andy Hug from Wohlen is K-1 champion. It has reached the top.
SRF reportage with the K-1 inventor on the occasion of Andy Hug’s tenth anniversary of death. Video: YouTube / LarsVegas26
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The fame is silvered
Time to harvest after years of hard training and no less tough fights. Switzerland is seized by a wave of enthusiasm, Hug fills the Zurich Hallenstadion with his fights.
But he is a much bigger star in his adopted country of Japan. His life is printed as a manga and sold millions of times. Hug is used as an advertising character and is said to have been the most famous foreigner among Japanese youth in 1999.
Stronger than a bus: Andy Hug, the advertising star in Japan. Video: YouTube / repserc
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The far too early death of the samurai
In August 2000, Hug shocked his fans with the news that he had leukemia. “This disease is the most important battle of my career,” he wrote in an open letter, “but I will win it. Don’t lose hope! »
A little later, Andy Hug falls into a coma after breathing difficulties and never wakes up again. The Aargau samurai died in Japan on August 24, 2000. In a condolence letter, Federal President Adolf Ogi honored the deceased: “Andy Hug not only gave us an example with his commitment to sports, but also with his career, courage, energy and charisma, which we will all remember.”
Andy Hug had concrete plans to start as an actor after martial arts. But the greatest Swiss martial artist of all time is only 35 years old.
Flowers, his combat trousers and the belt for the triumph at the “K-1 World Grand Prix Finale 1996” on the altar in a temple in Tokyo commemorate the late Andy Hug. Image: AP
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