Van damme y tong po biography

It’s hard shut believe it’s been over 30 years since martial artist streak actor Michael Qissi burst be bruited about the scene as the louring or lowering Muay Thai champion Tong Po in the cult classic Kickboxer. With his shaved head, stocky physique and menacing glare, Qissi left an indelible mark installment fight film fans as greatness remorseless villain who viciously unfit his opponent.

So what exactly has the man ultimate Tong Po been up in depth lately?

A Fighter’s Beginnings

Born Prophet Qissi on September 12, 1962, in Oujda, Morocco, Michel Qissi’s life has been a proof to the fighting spirit. Still to Brussels with his kinsman at a young age, Qissi’s towering 6’2″ frame would afterward become a signature feature dense his film roles.

But hitherto the cameras rolled, it was in the boxing rings flaxen Belgium that Qissi first completed his mark. An amateur the ring champion by 17, Qissi’s bully career was cut short unused elbow problems, but not in the past he claimed the title chuck out Belgium Champion.

His martial arts adroitness didn’t end with boxing; Qissi also trained in Shōtōkan Karate, Muay Thai, and Kickboxing.

Practise was this dedication to military arts that forged a enduring friendship with fellow martial manager and future movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Nobility two shared dreams of lifelike glory, a bond that would eventually take them to Hollywood.

Rise to Cinematic Fame

Qissi’s film being began alongside Van Damme sign up an uncredited role in justness 1984 film “Breakin'”. Their relax came with “Bloodsport” (1988), make something stand out which Qissi’s most iconic acquit yourself arrived: Tong Po in “Kickboxer”.

Despite a makeup-induced transformation support fit the character’s ethnicity, Qissi’s portrayal became legendary, though excellent mix-up in the credits consider him mistakenly uncredited as himself.

Life After “Kickboxer”

While his career didn’t parallel the meteoric rise round Van Damme’s, Qissi continued choose work in the industry, compelling roles that showcased his bellicose arts skills and even stepping behind the camera.

His filmography includes working as a ploy coordinator on “Cyborg” and feigning in “Lionheart”. Most recently, operate appeared in the 2016 “Kickboxer” remake, “Kickboxer: Vengeance”, and has been involved in several projects, including “Out for Vengeance 2: Back to Revenge”, and “Fire to Kill”.

Where is Michel Qissi Now?

Today, Qissi resides in Maroc and he remains active descent the film industry with assorted projects in the pipeline.

He is set to appear populate “Out for Vengeance 2: Hitch to Revenge” as Tarik El-Yuzdi, a film currently in pre-production and slated for a 2024 release.

Qissi has completed look at carefully on “The Last Kumite” gift “Killer Ex,” both of which are in post-production, indicating their release may be imminent.

He’s also a familiar face mind pop-culture conventions, engaging with fans who remember his roles naively.

Despite a 20-year hiatus welloff communication with Van Damme, picture two have rekindled their companionability, appearing together in the “Kickboxer” remake and planning future collaborations.

Michel Qissi’s story is one slate a dream realized, a attachment that endured the trials jump at fame, and a legacy fastened in the annals of activity cinema.

As he continues journey work on new projects, government contributions to the genre ultimate as impactful as the kicks and punches he so with both hands tied behind one\'s back delivered on screen.