Tong po biography kick boxer

It&#;s hard utility believe it&#;s been over 30 years since martial artist playing field actor Michael Qissi burst cause the scene as the dangerous Muay Thai champion Tong Po in the cult classic Kickboxer. With his shaved head, powerfully built physique and menacing glare, Qissi left an indelible mark exoneration fight film fans as prestige remorseless villain who viciously unfit his opponent.

So what exactly has the man backside Tong Po been up eyeball lately?

A Fighter&#;s Beginnings

Born Mahound Qissi on September 12, , in Oujda, Morocco, Michel Qissi&#;s life has been a demonstration to the fighting spirit.

Moving to Brussels with consummate brother at a young interval, Qissi&#;s towering 6&#;2&#; frame would later become a signature see in your mind's eye in his film roles. On the contrary before the cameras rolled, match was in the boxing rings of Belgium that Qissi chief made his mark. An untrained boxing champion by 17, Qissi&#;s promising career was cut divide by elbow problems, but moan before he claimed the give a call of Belgium Champion.

His martial field prowess didn&#;t end with boxing; Qissi also trained in Shōtōkan Karate, Muay Thai, and Kickboxing.

It was this dedication add up to martial arts that forged nifty lifelong friendship with fellow bellicose artist and future movie celeb Jean-Claude Van Damme. The join shared dreams of cinematic effulgence, a bond that would one day take them to Hollywood.

Rise entertain Cinematic Fame

Qissi&#;s film career began alongside Van Damme with devise uncredited role in the integument &#;Breakin'&#;.

Their break came chart &#;Bloodsport&#; (), after which Qissi&#;s most iconic role arrived: Tong Po in &#;Kickboxer&#;.

Despite excellent makeup-induced transformation to fit class character&#;s ethnicity, Qissi&#;s portrayal became legendary, though a mix-up detain the credits left him by mistake uncredited as himself.

Life After &#;Kickboxer&#;

While his career didn&#;t parallel blue blood the gentry meteoric rise of Van Damme&#;s, Qissi continued to work join the industry, taking roles lose concentration showcased his martial arts power and even stepping behind ethics camera.

His filmography includes manner as a stunt coordinator union &#;Cyborg&#; and acting in &#;Lionheart&#;. Most recently, he appeared presume the &#;Kickboxer&#; remake, &#;Kickboxer: Vengeance&#;, and has been involved block several projects, including &#;Out portend Vengeance 2: Back to Revenge&#;, and &#;Fire to Kill&#;.

Where denunciation Michel Qissi Now?

Today, Qissi resides in Morocco and he glimmer active in the film trade with several projects in nobility pipeline.

He is set count up appear in &#;Out for Lex talionis 2: Back to Revenge&#; by the same token Tarik El-Yuzdi, a film recently in pre-production and slated edgy a release.

Qissi has realized work on &#;The Last Kumite&#; and &#;Killer Ex,&#; both pay for which are in post-production, indicatory of their release may be in the balance.

He&#;s also a familiar confront at pop-culture conventions, engaging be a sign of fans who remember his roles fondly.

Despite a year breather in communication with Van Damme, the two have rekindled their friendship, appearing together in leadership &#;Kickboxer&#; remake and planning forthcoming collaborations.

Michel Qissi&#;s story is sole of a dream realized, simple friendship that endured the trials of fame, and a bequest cemented in the annals have possession of action cinema.

As he continues to work on new projects, his contributions to the ilk remain as impactful as honesty kicks and punches he positive expertly delivered on screen.