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
Born(1961-12-24)December 24, 1961
Dordrecht, Netherlands
DiedAugust 15, 2005(2005-08-15) (aged 43)
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Other namesThe Hurricane
Height1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
StyleKyokushin, Muay Thai, Kickboxing
TeamBudokai Vleesenbeek Gym
Kickboxing record
Total26
Wins17
By knockout10
Losses6
Draws3

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

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He starting training in Kyokushin karate when he 16 years old and then in 1981 he commenced training in kickboxing. 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 1986 he fought against Hiroki Kurosawa during the 18th Open Japanese Championships Kyokushinkai in Tokyo. Because of a debatable decision Peter Smit lost this fight after three extra rounds in spite of a broken toe. This fight is known as an example of "true Kyokushinkai Fighting Spirit". Smit trained with Michel Wedel in Japan, and the following year in the Netherlands in preparation for the European Championship. Peter Smit became European Middle weight champion Kyokushin in 1987 in Katowice, Poland.

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.

Peter Smit developed himself as an absolute top fighter in three of the hardest fight sports in the world.

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]

He worked for Fighting Network Rings in Japan a cross MMA-Professional Wrestling promotion from 1991 to 1994.[3]

He was attacked in a Rotterdam nightclub by two guys. The scuffle ended up in the nightclub car park with Peter suffering a broken ankle. His attackers had tried to kill him attempting to run him down with their car. A cast was put on the broken ankle but Peter cut it off with a hacksaw and fought Rob Kaman neglecting the injury.[4] The ankle injury never healed properly and unfortunately he had to end his career.

With his career over he suffered depression and became addicted to cocaine. He ran into trouble with the police committing thefts to support his addiction and ended up serving a 7 month sentence in jail in 2000.[4][5] He rebuilt his life when he was released from jail, drug free, however, had he difficulties training due to the ankle injury.

On August 15, 2005 he was shot to death in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, after he stood up for his friend.[1][6]

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

Fight record

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Kickboxing record
17 Wins (10 (T)KO's, 7 decisions), 6 Losses, 3 Draws
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
1991-05-26 Loss   Maurice Smith AJKF "From Budokan-I Chapter III" Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan KO 5 1:13
1991-04-14 Loss   Luc Verheye Dordrecht, Netherlands TKO 8
Loses WKA World Junior Light heavyweight title.
1990-11-27 Loss   Changpuek Kiatsongrit Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
Loses IMTF(IMF) World Light heavyweight title.
1990-10-28 Loss   Luc Verheye Dordrecht, Netherlands KO (Doctor Stoppage) 2
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 The War Rotterdam, Netherlands Decision 10
Wins Snoo's WKA European Light heavyweight title.
1989-12-17 Win   Luc Verheye Dordrecht, Netherlands KO (Right Cross) 5
1989-05-21 Win   Kosta Patoulidis Dordrecht, Netherlands Decision 5 2:00
1989-01-29 Win   Andre Mannaart AJKF Tokyo, Japan Decision 5 3:00
1988-12-18 Loss   Jan Wessels Rotterdam, Netherlands Decision 5
1988-05-15 Win   Robert Davis Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Punches) 4
1988-04-14 Win   Leo de Snoo Eindhoven, Netherlands Decision 5
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Titles

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  • 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
  • Das Führer's Street Fighter champion 1990
  • IMF World champion Muay Thai 1990
  • WKA Lightheavyweight European Champion kickboxing 1990[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Peter "Hurricane" Smith Will Never Die". Misdaad Journalist., Retrieved 2013-06-03
  2. ^ a b c "The Greatest Muay Thai Fighters ever! Peter Smit". Muay Tai Design. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011., Retrieved 2013-06-04.
  3. ^ "Peter Smit".
  4. ^ a b Scharrenberg, Koen. "Peter Smit : Memory of a great martial arts champion (in Dutch)". Crime Site camilleri. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  5. ^ "Peter 'Hurricane' Smit (in Dutch)". misdaadjournalist. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  6. ^ Saulnier, Yann (16 August 2005). "Peter Smit murdered". MuayThaiTV., Retrieved 2013-06-03.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by WKA Kickboxing European Light heavyweight champion
April 8, 1990 - ?
Succeeded by
?
Preceded by WKA Kickboxing World Junior Light heavyweight champion
June 30, 1990 - April 7, 1991
Succeeded by
Preceded by
?
IMTF(IMF) World Light heavyweight champion
August 31, 1990 - November 27, 1990
Succeeded by