Andy Hug Tribute Zone

[kakatootoshi]

On 24th Aug 2000 one of our most repsected kyokushin legends, Andy Hug, died of acute leukemia.
This thread is for everyone to express their thoughts or recount interesting stories about this man of many achievements.

Andy, your fighting career has taught us that with proper and dedicated training, race, physical size and other factors cause no boundaries in the beautiful world of kyokushin and martial arts. I always treausre the good old days of kyokushin when it was a united organzation and talented fighters like you, Wedel, Smit and Thompson rocked the WT. Andy, I hope that you will shine on us from heaven and let your spirit be with us when we train.

OSU!

[smoothsake]

Andy, you touched the hearts, spirits, and imaginations of so many people in Japan and the world. Your Kyokushin spirit was evident in your actions both inside and outside of the ring. Thank you for your positive contributions to karate and organized K-1 kickboxing. May the world forever remember your accomplishments and the manner in which you handled your success. Rest in peace. OSU!

[daisukey]

Osu! I saw you in K-1, you are one of them who made me interested in K-1 and martial arts. R.I.P.

daisukey

[kiaaii]

Andy Hug is my God..

[kakatootoshi]

Exactly six years after the day all kyokushin people will never forget




OSU!

[kakatootoshi]

Earlier this month, Ernest Hoost, Peter Aerts, Musashi, Ray Sefo, Matsui Kancho, K-1 producer Tanagawa and many others gathered at a hotel in Tokyo to recollect their memories of Andy Hug.





OSU!

[Groucho]

I saw Andy win that K1 Grand Prix in '96...and got to meet him later that year at an enkai. Even as big a celebrity as he was, he had the time to speak to me, some lowly little brown belt, and give me pointers for what seemed about an hour (likely 15 minutes, but still...).

A consumate gentleman, and just a really cool guy.

Rest in peace, Andy.

[kyokushin4life]

He was a great inspiration for me as well. Osu!

[Kikuchiyo]

Wish I was able to meet him. He's what go me into K-1, MMA and Kyokushin Karate. He gives hope to us smaller guys to compete against heavyweights. A great fighter.

[Shura]

When people would talk about K-1, one person in particular personified what it meant to be a K-1 fighter. Andy Hug was a 180 cm karateka that faced against some of the most formidable fighters (most of whom were bigger and heavier than Andy). Many of them were experienced veterans in other matches and veneues before the K-1 organization began (Ernesto Hoost, Branko Cikatic, etc.). However, things like this didn't stop "Mr. K-1" from his goal of becoming a K-1 champion. On other forums, I've heard many a critic claim that Andy was overrated because of his untimely death and that he shouldn't have been glorified by his fans. I feel that this type of thinking is absolutely false, and it doesn't do justice to a great fighter's memory. Some people dismissed Andy as nothing more than "good kicks, but nothing else." I think not.
Like other Kyokushin karateka that adjusted to Kickboxing (Filho, Pettas, Feitosa), Andy trained himself to such extremes in order to become a well-rounded K-1 competitor. If you look at some of Andy's achievements, it speaks for the man's character and his dedication to improving himself. Andy was able to beat the first K-1 champion Branko Cikatic despite being relatively new to K-1 himself. Andy was able to advance three consecutive times into a K-1 championship. Only Buakaw so far has been able to recreate this feat. And I think everyone here would agree that the 1996 World GP that Andy won was one of the most noteworthy and exciting peformances in kickboxing history.
Andy showed us how far you can go with hard work and discipline; if you wanted it enough. Before Andy, there were many Kyokushin karateka that helped shape its reputation and influence across the world. After Andy, there'll be Kyokushin karateka that will continue this mission. However, Andy will always be regarded as one of the finest budoka that has ever lived. Andy's work ethic and never-say-die attitude is his legacy to us. It is our duty to learn from his example and do what we can. Rest in peace, Andy. OSU!

[teixeira]

Osu,

may you rest in peace and your spirit go on in each of us forever.

Osu

[ichigeki31]

rest in peace ,you were a great fighter andy osu!!!!!!!

ANDY HUG...
One k1 fighter
One karate fighter
One great person
One legend
and...
One of my inspirations in kyokushin.


you will never be forget


REST IN PEACE...

[Andy 68]

Andy is for me the most fighter that it has never seen.
Andy is the pride of all karateka.
Great person, was loved also from its opponents.
Andy is my ispiration and I am very proud to wear karategi and black belt as he.
R.I.P. Shihan Andy: "the blu eyes samurai"

[Lonewolf]

OSU! When Andy Hug won the K-1 Grand Prix in 19996, I can't begin to tell you the pride I felt in being a Karate-Ka. I was so proud of him, but especially because he represented us(Karate-Ka) and brought alot of respect to Karate from the Kickboxers there. Andy was a class act and a wonderful example to all of us of being a true Budo-Ka and human being. His spirit lives on in the hearts of Karate-Ka and other martial artists and fighters forever. My best goes out to his son and his family. I have often talked about Andy Hug to my own son as an example of not giving up in anything you desire to do. He even watches videos with me and is greatly inspired in his own Kyokushin training. So, you see, Andy's spirit and influence lives on. OSU!

[kakatootoshi]

Forgot to bump this thread on the Meinichi of Shihan.
OSU!







OSU!

[Jenny]

Andy was the best

[Bloke]

Thanks Kakatootoshi - you always post great pics

[bushido spirit]

i was about to lose the karate spirit longe time a go , but once i saw andy hugs fights, he fired my spirits up again he is my idol wished if i met him befor....

[Steffen]

Andy...

Its still hard to find the right words..thanks for everything,may you rest in peace

OSU!