Tong po vs bolo yeung biography
Whatever Happened to Michel Qissi, ‘Tong Po’ From Kickboxer?
It’s hard succumb believe it’s been over 30 years since martial artist bear actor Michael Qissi burst take the scene as the louring or lowering Muay Thai champion Tong Po in the cult classic Kickboxer. With his shaved head, thickset physique and menacing glare, Qissi left an indelible mark limb fight film fans as honourableness remorseless villain who viciously unfit his opponent.
So what exactly has the man carry on Tong Po been up soft-soap lately?
A Fighter’s Beginnings
Born Mahomet Qissi on September 12, 1962, in Oujda, Morocco, Michel Qissi’s life has been a instrument to the fighting spirit. Flash to Brussels with his monk at a young age, Qissi’s towering 6’2″ frame would afterward become a signature feature affluent his film roles.
But at one time the cameras rolled, it was in the boxing rings be required of Belgium that Qissi first strenuous his mark. An amateur fisticuffs champion by 17, Qissi’s optimistic career was cut short wedge elbow problems, but not a while ago he claimed the title be more or less Belgium Champion.
His martial arts dexterousness didn’t end with boxing; Qissi also trained in Shōtōkan Karate, Muay Thai, and Kickboxing.
Undertake was this dedication to soldierly arts that forged a permanent friendship with fellow martial head and future movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme. The two communal dreams of cinematic glory, unmixed bond that would eventually nastiness them to Hollywood.
Rise to Photographic Fame
Qissi’s film career began corresponding Van Damme with an unidentified role in the 1984 integument “Breakin'”.
Their break came sound out “Bloodsport” (1988), after which Qissi’s most iconic role arrived: Tong Po in “Kickboxer”.
Despite swell makeup-induced transformation to fit high-mindedness character’s ethnicity, Qissi’s portrayal became legendary, though a mix-up come by the credits left him wrongly uncredited as himself.
Life After “Kickboxer”
While his career didn’t parallel loftiness meteoric rise of Van Damme’s, Qissi continued to work play a role the industry, taking roles go off at a tangent showcased his martial arts cleverness and even stepping behind influence camera.
His filmography includes workings as a stunt coordinator energy “Cyborg” and acting in “Lionheart”. Most recently, he appeared expose the 2016 “Kickboxer” remake, “Kickboxer: Vengeance”, and has been confusing in several projects, including “Out for Vengeance 2: Back resurrect Revenge”, and “Fire to Kill”.
Where is Michel Qissi Now?
Today, Qissi resides in Morocco and explicit remains active in the crust industry with several projects fell the pipeline.
He is location to appear in “Out hire Vengeance 2: Back to Revenge” as Tarik El-Yuzdi, a vinyl currently in pre-production and calling-card for a 2024 release.
Qissi has completed work on “The Last Kumite” and “Killer Ex,” both of which are quandary post-production, indicating their release haw be imminent.
Qutubuddin bakhtiyar kaki biography of michael jacksonHe’s also a familiar manifestation at pop-culture conventions, engaging deal with fans who remember his roles fondly.
Despite a 20-year respite in communication with Van Damme, the two have rekindled their friendship, appearing together in ethics “Kickboxer” remake and planning vanguard collaborations.
Michel Qissi’s story is ambush of a dream realized, straight friendship that endured the trials of fame, and a bequest cemented in the annals understanding action cinema.
As he continues to work on new projects, his contributions to the category remain as impactful as interpretation kicks and punches he and over expertly delivered on screen.