Peter Smit

for the children's writer, see Peter Smit (writer); for the natural history illustrator, see Pierre Jacques Smit

Peter Smit
Born	(1961-12-24)December 24, 1961 Dordrecht, Netherlands
Died	August 15, 2005(2005-08-15) (aged 43)
Other names	The Hurricane
Nationality	Dutch
Height	1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Division	Light Heavyweight
Style	Kyokushin, Muay Thai, Kickboxing
Team	Budokai Vleesenbeek Gym
Kickboxing record
Total	26
Wins	17
By knockout	10
Losses	6
Draws	3

Peter "The Hurricane" Smit (December 24, 1961 – August 15, 2005) was a Dutch martial artist^[1] who mastered such different fight disciplines as kyokushin karate, kickboxing and Muay Thai.^[2]

Peter Smit in his prime was one of the best Dutch fighters, who never got enough fights to show his full potential. He had to retire early in his career because of a serious ankle injury.^[2]

Biography

He fought his first international tournament, the Open Ocean Pacific Kyokushinkai championship, in 1985 on Hawaii. Smit got his nickname "The Hurricane" from a Dutch colleague Fred Royers by "becoming a champion like a hurricane" when he beat six opponents on one day.

In 1987 he fought against Hiroki Kurosawa during the Open Championships Kyokushinkai in Tokyo. Because of a debatable decision Peter Smit lost this fight after three extra rounds. This fight is known as an example of "true Kyokushinkai Fighting Spirit".

His fight against Changpuek Kiatsongrit in the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok is legendary. Peter Smit knocked out a Thai Champion in front of his own public, the first time that had happened in the history of muay thai.^[1] After a flurry of punches and knees Changpuek was knocked out in the 2nd round. Peter Smit became the world muay thai champion.

His first fight against kickboxing legend Rob Kaman was also an upset. In the 10th round he won by a knockout, which was considered impossible against the "unbeatable" Kaman at the time. It was the highlight of Peter Smit's short career.^[1]

Peter Smit developed himself as an absolute top fighter in three of the hardest fight sports in the world. Unfortunately he had to end his career early because of a chronic ankle injury.

On August 15, 2005 he was shot to death in Rotterdam, Holland, after he stood up for his friend.^[1][3]

Since his death fellow fighter Peter Aerts has worn "Peter Smit RIP" in his fight shorts, Aerts is a fan of Smit's career.

Fight Record

Kickboxing record

17 Wins (10 (T)KO's, 7 decisions), 6 Losses, 3 Draws Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time 1991 Loss Rob Kaman AJKF Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan KO 8 1991-05-26 Loss Maurice Smith AJKF "From Budokan-I Chapter III" Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan KO 3 1991-04-07 Loss Luc Verheye Dordrecht, Netherlands TKO Losses WKA World Junior Light heavyweight title. 1990-11-27 Loss Changpuek Kiatsongrit Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00 Losses IMTF(IMF) World Light heavyweight title. 1990-08-31 Win Changpuek Kiatsongrit Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand KO (Punches) 2 Wins IMTF(IMF) World Light heavyweight title. 1990-06-30 Win Rob Kaman AJKF "Inspiring Wars "Heat630"" Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan KO(Right cross) 10 2:10 Wins WKA World Junior Light heavyweight title. 1990-04-08 Win Leo de Snoo Netherlands Wins Snoo's WKA European Light heavyweight title. 1989-12-17 ? Luc Verheye Dordrecht, Netherlands 1989-10-28 ? Luc Verheye Dordrecht, Netherlands 1989-01-29 Win Andre Mannaart AJKF Tokyo, Japan Decision 5 3:00 Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

Titles

• Ocean Pacific Champion Kyokushin Karate 1985
• 2x Dutch Champion Kyokushin Karate Light heavyweight 1985 and 1986
• Kyokushin Karate lightheavyweight European champion 1987
• WKA Kickboxing World Junior Lightheavyweight champion 1990
• IMF World champion Muay Thai 1990
• WKA Lightheavyweight European Champion kickboxing 1990^[2]

See also

• List of male kickboxers
• kyokushin karate
• Shoot Boxing Official Site

References