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K-1

The K-1 is a Japanese promotional company that has a near monopoly of the heavyweight division. It started with the vision of Kazuyoshi Ishii [whose initials conspicuously resemble the name of the company]. Since 1993, the K-1 has developed a reputation of putting the best heavyweight kickboxers from around the world in the ring.

The K-1 is so synonymous with the sport of heavyweight kickboxing that many novice fans of the sport mistakenly think that the CKO ratings are K-1 ratings. They are not. Unlike the CKO, the K-1 decides greatness based on an 8-man tournament each year, the Grand Prix. Success in the Grand Prix is far from easy. Some elite fighters have only managed a few wins in the tournament. The lists below will illustrate the achievements of those who collect victories.

K-1 USA  K-1 Oceania  K-1 Japan

K-1 Grand Prix Champions Oldest Champions Youngest Champions
  1. Branko Cikatic [CRO] (1993)
  2. Peter Aerts [NED] (1994)
  3. Peter Aerts [NED]  (1995)
  4. Andy Hug [SUI]  (1996)
  5. Ernesto Hoost [NED] (1997)
  6. Peter Aerts [NED] (1998)
  7. Ernesto Hoost [NED] (1999)
  8. Ernesto Hoost [NED] (2000)
  9. Mark Hunt [NZL] (2001)
  10. Ernesto Hoost [NED] (2002)
  11. Remy Bonjasky [NED] (2003)
  12. Remy Bonjasky [NED] (2004)
  13. Sem Schilt [NED] (2005)
  14. Sem Schilt [NED] (2006)
  15. Sem Schilt [NED] (2007)

Notes: This list shows the K-1 Grand Prix Champions in order of their victories.

  1. 38/208, Branko Cikatic [CRO]  (1993)
  2. 37/149, Ernesto Hoost [NED]  (2002)
  3. 35/152, Ernesto Hoost [NED]  (2000)
  4. 34/147, Ernesto Hoost [NED]  (1999)
  5. 34/42, Sem Schilt [NED] (2007)
  6. 33/36, Sem Schilt [NED] (2006)
  7. 32/91, Ernesto Hoost [NED]  (1997)
  8. 32/23, Sem Schilt [NED] (2005)
  9. 31/240, Andy Hug [SUI]  (1996)
  10. 28/329, Remy Bonjasky [NED] (2004)
  11. 28/71, Peter Aerts [NED]  (1998)
  12. 27/330, Remy Bonjasky [NED] (2003)
  13. 27/260, Mark Hunt [NZL]  (2001)
  14. 24/226, Peter Aerts [NED]  (1995)
  15. 23/217, Peter Aerts [NED] (1994)

Notes: This list shows the K-1 Grand Prix Champions in order of oldest to youngest. Their ages are expressed in years and days. In other words, Cikatic was 38 years 208 days old when he won the K-1 Grand Prix in 1993.
  1. 23/217, Peter Aerts [NED]  (1994)
  2. 24/226, Peter Aerts [NED]  (1995)
  3. 27/260, Mark Hunt [NZL]  (2001)
  4. 27/330, Remy Bonjasky [NED]  (2003)
  5. 28/71, Peter Aerts [NED]  (1998)
  6. 28/329, Remy Bonjasky [NED]  (2004)
  7. 31/240, Andy Hug [SUI]  (1996)
  8. 32/23, Sem Schilt [NED] (2005)
  9. 32/91, Ernesto Hoost [NED] (1997)
  10. 33/36, Sem Schilt [NED] (2006)
  11. 34/42, Sem Schilt [NED] (2007)
  12. 34/147, Ernesto Hoost [NED]  (1999)
  13. 35/152, Ernesto Hoost [NED]  (2000)
  14. 37/149, Ernesto Hoost [NED]  (2002)
  15. 38/208, Branko Cikatic [CRO]  (1993)

Notes: This list shows the K-1 Grand Prix Champions in order of youngest to oldest. Their ages are expressed in years and days. In other words, Aerts was 23 years 217 days old when he won the K-1 Grand Prix in 1994.

A few young fighters have appeared in the K-1 Grand Prix but most were older by a few days.
Fastest Tournament Victory Most Grand Prix Titles Most Wins
  1. 06:43, Peter Aerts [NED]  (1998)
  2. 11:56, Sem Schilt [NED] (2005)
  3. 12:09, Branko Cikatic [CRO]  (1993)
  4. 13:44, Remy Bonjasky [NED]  (2003)
  5. 14:39, Peter Aerts [NED]  (1995)
  6. 15:51, Sem Schilt [NED] (2007)
  7. 17:13, Peter Aerts [NED]  (1994)
  8. 19:15, Ernesto Hoost [NED]  (1997)
  9. 19:35, Ernesto Hoost [NED]  (1999)
  10. 19:58, Andy Hug [SUI]  (1996)
  11. 26:32, Mark Hunt [NZL] (2001)
  12. 27:00, Sem Schilt [NED] (2006)
  13. 30:00, Ernesto Hoost [NED]  (2000)
  14. 36:00, Remy Bonjasky [NED] (2004)
  15. XX:XX, Ernesto Hoost [NED]  (2002)

Notes: In 1998, Peter Aerts scored 3 first-round knockouts to win the K-1 Grand Prix. He completed the feat in 6 minutes 43 seconds.

In 2002, Ernesto Hoost lost his opening match to Bob Sapp. Due to injuries suffered by both Sapp and the reserve fighter, Hoost was given a second chance and used it to become champion. Therefore, without 3 wins, no time is given for his 2002 performance.

 1.  4, Ernesto Hoost [NED]
2.  3, Peter Aerts [NED], Sem Schilt [NED]
4.  2, Remy Bonjasky [NED], 
5.  1, Branko Cikatic [CRO], Andy Hug [SUI], Mark Hunt [NZL]

Notes: Only 7 men have won the K-1 Grand Prix Tournament.

The country of the Netherlands has won 11 of the 14 K-1 Grand Prix titles.

 1.   17-7, Ernesto Hoost [NED]
2.   16-10, Peter Aerts [NED]
3.   9-0, Sem Schilt, [NED]
4.   9-2, Remy Bonjasky [NED]
5.   7-4, Andy Hug [SUI]   
6.   6-7, Akio Mori [JPN]
7.   6-8, Jerome LeBanner [FRA]
8.   4-1, Branko Cikatic [CRO], Mark Hunt [NZL]
10.   4-4, Mike Bernardo [RSA], Francisco Filho [BRA]
12.   3-5, Masaaki Satake, [JPN]
13.   3-7, Ray Sefo [NZL]
14.   2-3, Glaube Feitosa [BRA], Mirko Filipovic [CRO]
16.   2-4, Sam Greco [AUS]
17.   1-0, Bob Sapp [USA]
18.   1-1, Maurice Smith [USA], Patrick Smith [USA], 1-1, Kaoklai Kaennorsing, [THA], Francois Botha, [RSA]
22.   1-2, Alexei Ignashov [BLR]
23.   1-3, Cyril Abidi [FRA]

　

Notes: The most wins any fighter can get in one tournament is 3. Hoost has won 17 matches in the tournament and suffered 7 losses.

The list is in order of wins. However, where two or more fighters have the same number of wins, the one with the fewest losses is higher on the list.
Most Times in the Final Most Consecutive Grand Prix Appearances Most K-1 Appearances (Minimum 4)
  1. 5, Ernesto Hoost [NED] (1993, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002), Peter Aerts [NED] (1994, 1995, 1998, 2006, 2007)
  2. 3, Andy Hug [SUI] (1996, 1997, 1998), Sem Schilt [NED] (2005, 2006, 2007)
  1. 2, Remy Bonjasky [NED] (2003, 2004)
    2, Jerome LeBanner [FRA] (1995, 2002)
    2, Akio Mori [JPN] (2003, 2004)
  1. 1, Branko Cikatic [CRO] (1993)
    1, Masaaki Satake [JPN] (1994)
    1, Mike Bernardo [RSA] (1996)
    1, Mirko Filipovic [CRO] (1999)
    1, Ray Sefo [NZL] (2000)
    1, Mark Hunt [NZL] (2001)
    1, Francisco Filho [BRA] (2001)
    1, Glaube Feitosa [BRA] (2005)

Notes: Six fighters have made it to the final round of the K-1 Grand Prix more than once. For 9 others, it is a unique experience. 
  1. 15, Peter Aerts (1993-2006)
  2. 7, Ernesto Hoost (1995-2002)
  3. 5, Remy Bonjaski (2003-2007)
  4. 4, Mike Bernardo, (1995-1998), Andy Hug (1996-1999), Sam Greco (1996-1999), Ray Sefo, (2002-2005), Akio Mori, (2002-2005), 

Notes: Peter Aerts has entered the K-1 Grand Prix Tournament 14 times in a row. It is likely he has set a record that will not be broken in his lifetime unless he breaks it himself. He is the ironman.

　

 1.  15, Peter Aerts [NED]
2.  11, Ernesto Hoost [NED]
3.   8, Jerome LeBanner [FRA]
4.   7, Ray Sefo [NZL], Akio Mori [JPN]
6.   5, Masaaki Satake [JPN], Andy Hug [SUI], Remy Bonjasky [NED]
9.   4, Sam Greco [AUS], Mike Bernardo [RSA], Francisco Filho [BRA], Stefan Leko [CRO], 
Undefeated Streak Winning Streak Knockout Streak
  1. 9, Sem Schilt [NED]** (2005-2007)
  2. 7, Remy Bonjasky [NED] (2003-2005)
  3. 4, Branko Cikatic [CRO] (1993-1994), Mark Hunt [NZL] (2001-2002)

The above list shows how many wins a fighter has gone before taking a first loss in the K-1 Grand Prix Tournament. Sem Schilt ended Remy Bonjasky's streak and started his own.

　

**Active
  1. 9, Sem Schilt [NED]** (2005-2007)
  2. 7, Ernesto Hoost [NED] (1999-2001), Remy Bonjasky [NED] (2003-2005)
  1. 6, Peter Aerts [NED] (1994-1995), 
  2. 5, Andy Hug [SUI] (1996-1997)
  3. 4, Branko Cikatic [CRO] (1993-1994), Mark Hunt [NZL] (2001-2002)

The above list shows how many wins in a row a fighter has taken before taking a loss.

**Active

  1. 4, Branko Cikatic (1993-1994)
  2. 3, Peter Aerts (1998)
  3. 2, Peter Aerts (1994), Jerome LeBanner (1994), Andy Hug (1996-1997), Ernesto Hoost (1999), Mirko Filipovic (1999), Ray Sefo (2000), Ernesto Hoost (2002), Remy Bonjasky (2003), Sem Schilt (2005), (2007) **

In addition to age, Branko Cikatic continues to hold the record for most knockouts in a row.

**Active

Most Knockouts* Most Knockdowns List of finalists
  1. 10, Peter Aerts [NED]
  2. 8, Ernesto Hoost [NED]
  3. 4, Andy Hug [SUI], Branko Cikatic [CRO], Jerome LeBanner [FRA], Sem Schilt [NED]
  4. 3, Mike Bernardo[RSA]
  5. 2, Francisco Filho [BRA], Glaube Feitosa [BRA], Mark Hunt [NZL], Masaaki Satake [JPN], Mirko Filipovic [CRO], Ray Sefo [NZL], Remy Bonjasky [NED]
  6. 1, Akio Mori [JPN], Alexei Ignashov [BLR], Bob Sapp [USA], Frans Botha [RSA], Kaoklai Kaennorsing [THA], Patrick Smith [USA], Sam Greco [AUS]

* This list includes all forms of knockouts: strikes to the head, body blows, low kicks, medical stoppages, corner retirement, towel, etc.

  1. 15, Peter Aerts [NED]

  2. 14, Ernesto Hoost [NED]

  3. 8, Sem Schilt [NED]

  4. 7, Mike Bernardo [RSA], Remy Bonjasky [NED]

  5. 6, Andy Hug [SUI], Jerome LeBanner [FRA],

  6. 5, Mark Hunt [NZL]

  7. 4, Branko Cikatic [CRO], Mirko Filipovic [CRO], Ray Sefo [NZL]

  8. 2, Bob Sapp [USA], Francisco Filho [BRA], Frans Botha [RSA], Glaube Feitosa [BRA], Masaaki Satake [JPN], Patrick Smith [USA]

  9. 1, Akio Mori [JPN], Alexei Ignashov [BLR], Cyril Abidi [FRA], Kaoklai Kaennorsing [THA], Maurice Smith [USA], Rob Van Esdonk [NED], Sam Greco [AUS]

　

1993 Ernesto Hoost [NED]
1994 Masaaki Satake [JPN]
1995 Jerome LeBanner [FRA]
1996 Mike Bernardo [RSA]
1997 Andy Hug [SUI]
1998 Andy Hug [SUI]
1999 Mirko Filipovic [CRO]
2000 Ray Sefo [NZL]
2001 Francisco Filho [BRA]
2002 Jerome LeBanner [FRA]
2003 Akio Mori [JPN]
2004 Akio Mori [JPN]
2005 Glaube Feitosa [BRA]
2006 Peter Aerts [NED]
2007 Peter Aerts [NED]

This list represents the fighters who finished 2nd in the Grand Prix.

Most Grand Prix Appearances with at least one (1) win. (Minimum 3) Most Consecutive Grand Prix Appearances with at least one win Tournament Champion Bonus
  1. 9, Ernesto Hoost [NED] (93, 95, 96, 97, 99, 00, 01, 02, 06), Peter Aerts [NED] (94, 95, 97, 98, 00, 03, 05, 06, 07)
  2. 5, Remy Bonjasky [NED] (03, 04, 05, 06, 07)
  3. 4, Jerome LeBanner [FRA] (95, 99, 02, 07)
  4. 3, Andy Hug [SUI] (96, 97, 98), Akio Mori [JPN] (03, 04, 05).
  1. 5, Remy Bonjasky [NED] (03-07)
  2. 4, Ernesto Hoost [NED](99-02)
  3. 3, Andy Hug [SUI] (96-98), Akio Mori [JPN] (03-05), Ernesto Hoost [NED] (95-97), Sem Schilt [NED] (05-07), Peter Aerts [NED] (05-07)
  4. 2, Masaaki Satake [JPN] (93-94), Peter Aerts [NED] (94-95, 97-98).
1993, (USD 100,000) Branko Cikatic
1994, (USD 100,000) Peter Aerts
1995, (USD 150,000) Peter Aerts
1996, (USD 150,000) Andy Hug
1997, (USD 230,000) Ernesto Hoost
1998, (USD 230,000) Peter Aerts
1999, (USD 300,000) Ernesto Hoost
2000, (USD 400,000) Ernesto Hoost
2001, (USD 400,000) Mark Hunt
2002, (USD 400,000) Ernesto Hoost
2003, (USD 400,000) Remy Bonjasky
2004, (USD 400,000) Remy Bonjasky
2005, (USD 400,000) Sem Schilt
2006, (USD 400,000) Sem Schilt
2007, (USD 400,000) Sem Schilt

The above list shows the bonus money the winner of the K-1 Grand Prix wins. Although the bonus has remained the same since 2000, base event purses have increased.

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