Andy Hug was a karate and kickboxing champion from Switzerland who rose to fame in Japan by winning the pro world title in seidokan karate in 1992. He grew so famous his fights drew ten thousand fans and colossal TV crowds. His fame made him a hero in comic books and an after-sought model and actor for commercials. Hug also participated in the K-1 Japanese kickboxing tournament that matched the top 8 heavyweight kickboxers in a spectacular event in Tokyo in 1993. Andy Hug won the K-1 Grand Prix in 1996 by defeating Mike Bernardo in the final match. He placed second in 1997 and 1998 against Ernesto Hoost and Peter Aerts.
Andy Hug died on August 24, 2000, aged 35.