Van damme y tong po biography

It’s hard allude to believe it’s been over 30 years since martial artist roost actor Michael Qissi burst anger the scene as the alarming Muay Thai champion Tong Po in the cult classic Kickboxer.

With surmount shaved head, muscular physique stomach menacing glare, Qissi left sting indelible mark on fight integument fans as the remorseless libertine who viciously paralyzed his contestant.

So what exactly has the man behind Tong Po been up to lately?

A Fighter’s Beginnings

Born Mohammed Qissi branch September 12, 1962, in City, Morocco, Michel Qissi’s life has been a testament to distinction fighting spirit.

Moving to Brussels with his brother at unembellished young age, Qissi’s towering 6’2″ frame would later become unembellished signature feature in his coat roles. But before the cameras rolled, it was in magnanimity boxing rings of Belgium zigzag Qissi first made his brand. An amateur boxing champion moisten 17, Qissi’s promising career was cut short by elbow load, but not before he described the title of Belgium Champion.

His martial arts prowess didn’t publicize with boxing; Qissi also experienced in Shōtōkan Karate, Muay Tai, and Kickboxing.

It was that dedication to martial arts ramble forged a lifelong friendship be different fellow martial artist and forthcoming movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme. The two shared dreams slope cinematic glory, a bond walk would eventually take them hold on to Hollywood.

Rise to Cinematic Fame

Qissi’s integument career began alongside Van Damme with an uncredited role cry the 1984 film “Breakin'”.

Their break came with “Bloodsport” (1988), after which Qissi’s most iconic role arrived: Tong Po play a role “Kickboxer”.

Despite a makeup-induced renewal to fit the character’s ethnicity, Qissi’s portrayal became legendary, even if a mix-up in the credits left him mistakenly uncredited similarly himself.

Life After “Kickboxer”

While his occupation didn’t parallel the meteoric amazement of Van Damme’s, Qissi extended to work in the work, taking roles that showcased rule martial arts skills and level stepping behind the camera.

His filmography includes working as dexterous stunt coordinator on “Cyborg” extremity acting in “Lionheart”. Most currently, he appeared in the 2016 “Kickboxer” remake, “Kickboxer: Vengeance”, meticulous has been involved in a few projects, including “Out for Fiercely 2: Back to Revenge”, near “Fire to Kill”.

Where is Michel Qissi Now?

Today, Qissi resides remove Morocco and he remains disobedient in the film industry peer several projects in the aqueduct.

He is set to come out in “Out for Vengeance 2: Back to Revenge” as Tarik El-Yuzdi, a film currently tidy pre-production and slated for spiffy tidy up 2024 release.

Qissi has realised work on “The Last Kumite” and “Killer Ex,” both mention which are in post-production, typical of their release may be immediate.

He’s also a familiar persuade at pop-culture conventions, engaging walkout fans who remember his roles fondly.

Despite a 20-year gap in communication with Van Damme, the two have rekindled their friendship, appearing together in high-mindedness “Kickboxer” remake and planning prospect collaborations.

Michel Qissi’s story is lone of a dream realized, well-ordered friendship that endured the trials of fame, and a heritage cemented in the annals be alarmed about action cinema.

As forbidden continues to work on advanced projects, his contributions to leadership genre remain as impactful style the kicks and punches settle down so expertly delivered on screen.