In competition – or after it, we always get the question how did it go. The answer we give will the most of the time be based on the results regarding to what place we ended at. And this without thinking of that we maybe fought our best fight against the winner of the tournament for an example. Is it so that it is just a romantic cliché: “The most important thing is not to win, but to participate”

For many years, (about twenty years) back we witness one of the greatest Fight league, the K-1. We could written side up and down why and how amazing this was, but it is simple: if you witness this at the time – you remember the feeling! Well, as always it depends who you ask of course. But for many of us this was Christmas and new years eve at the same day – when the tournaments was arranged.

BUDO. At it`s peak, the K-1 had some of the most amazing fighters in their line ups. And the the Budo aspect was a solid foundation through it all. We had all our favorites, and of course Andy Hug was a naturally choice – karate and Kyokushin rooted as he was. It is important to remember that this was the time before it was to many freak-shows fights in the picture.

We had our favorites, but after a while, it did not matter if they did not win their matches. They gave us something more. A strong factor was also how these fighters seems to have the same attitude,(that we probably copied) the respect between the fighters was huge, and the most touching scene most be when Andy Hug passed away, and how it affected his “enemies” in the ring.

Maybe this is what is was, and with that just history. Training younger athletes in In today’s technological life, there is always a constant press of social media about performing, looking good and successful. To cultivate a little respect for the one who does not win but who does as well as you can – is certainly not stupid.

Andy Hug vs Ernest Hoost.

“The purists despise him,” says Eurosport K1 commentator Will Vanders, himself a 3rd dan in Kyokushinkai, “but in Japan he’s bigger than David Beckham or any other celebrity you care to name. He endorses everything from toothpaste to underwear.”