Semmy Schilt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Semmy Schilt
Schilt in 2006
Born	(1973-10-27) October 27, 1973 (age 51) Rotterdam, Netherlands
Other names	Hightower
Height	212 cm (6 ft 11 in) (6'11")
Weight	116 kg (256 lb)
Division	Heavyweight Super Heavyweight
Style	Karate, Kickboxing, Judo, Submission Wrestling
Fighting out of	Zuidlaren, Netherlands
Team	Golden Glory
Trainer	Dave Jonkers Horia Rădulescu (part-time)
Rank	6th Dan Black Belt in Ashihara Karate Certified Instructor in Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling
Years active	1996–2008 (MMA), 2002–2013 (Kickboxing)
Kickboxing record
Total	50
Wins	43
By knockout	20
Losses	6
By knockout	2
Draws	1
Mixed martial arts record
Total	41
Wins	26
By knockout	14
By submission	10
By decision	2
Losses	14
By knockout	2
By submission	6
By decision	6
Draws	1
last updated on: 31 December 2012

Sem "Semmy" Schilt (born October 27, 1973) is a famous Dutch athlete. He used to be a professional kickboxer, a karateka (someone who practices karate), and a mixed martial artist.

Semmy Schilt is known for being the only kickboxer to win 5 big heavyweight tournaments. He won the K-1 World Grand Prix four times. He also won the Glory Heavyweight Grand Slam Champion title once. He held the K-1 Super Heavyweight and Glory Heavyweight titles too.

He is the only fighter in K-1 history to win the world championship three times in a row. He also shares a record with Ernesto Hoost for winning the most Grand Prix titles, with four.

Schilt started his professional fighting journey in 1996. He competed in Pancrase, a mixed martial arts promotion. There, he became the Openweight King Of Pancrase champion. He also fought in other big events like Pride Fighting Championship and the UFC. Many people think Semmy Schilt is one of the best heavyweight kickboxers ever.

Early Life and Training

Semmy Schilt started practicing Kyokushin Kaikan karate when he was 8 years old. His parents also practiced this martial art. When he was 12, he switched to Ashihara Kaikan karate. He earned his black belt by the time he was 18.

Besides karate, Schilt also trained in other fighting styles. These included Kickboxing, Judo, and Submission Wrestling. This mix of training helped him become a very well-rounded fighter.

Mixed Martial Arts Career

Semmy Schilt began his career in mixed martial arts (MMA) in Japan. He joined a promotion called Pancrase.

Fighting in Pancrase

Schilt's first MMA fight was in May 1996. He won by using a "rear naked choke" move. This is a grappling technique where you squeeze an opponent's neck.

He fought many tough opponents in Pancrase. One of his most important wins was against Minoru Suzuki in 1998. Schilt knocked him out with a knee strike.

In September 1998, he had a big rematch against Masakatsu Funaki. Schilt won by knocking him down with knees and palm strikes.

In November 1999, Semmy Schilt became the Openweight King Of Pancrase. He won this title by defeating Yuki Kondo with a "rear-naked choke." He successfully defended his title twice. He later gave up the title when he signed with the UFC.

Fighting in the UFC

Schilt made his debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in May 2001. He fought Pete Williams and won by "TKO" (Technical Knockout). This means the referee stopped the fight because Williams couldn't defend himself.

His second and last UFC fight was against Josh Barnett. Schilt lost this fight by "submission" when Barnett used an "armbar." An armbar is a move that hyperextends the opponent's arm.

Fighting in PRIDE

After the UFC, Schilt went to fight in Japan again for PRIDE Fighting Championship. He debuted in September 2001. He won his first three fights in PRIDE by knockout.

In June 2002, he faced Fedor Emelianenko, a very strong fighter. Schilt lost this fight by decision. He also lost to Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira by "triangle choke." A triangle choke is a submission move where a fighter uses their legs to choke the opponent.

Kickboxing Career

Semmy Schilt is most famous for his kickboxing career, especially in the K-1 and Glory organizations.

K-1 Success

Schilt first appeared in the K-1 finals in November 2005. He won the tournament by knocking out Glaube Feitosa with a knee strike. This was his first K-1 World Grand Prix title.

He continued his success in K-1. In 2006, he defended his title by beating Jerome Le Banner, Ernesto Hoost, and Peter Aerts. He won all these fights by "unanimous decision," meaning all judges agreed he won.

In April 2007, he became K-1's first Super Heavyweight Champion. He won this title by knocking out Ray Sefo.

Schilt won the K-1 World Grand Prix for the third time in a row in December 2007. He beat Peter Aerts in the final. This made him the only fighter in K-1 history to win three Grand Prix titles in a row.

In 2009, Schilt won his fourth K-1 World Grand Prix title. He beat Badr Hari in the final by "KO" (knockout). This means Hari was unable to continue fighting. This win also gave him the record for the fastest Grand Prix win.

Glory Championship

In 2012, Schilt returned to fighting in the Glory organization. He showed a more aggressive style.

In December 2012, he competed in the sixteen-man Glory Heavyweight Grand Slam tournament in Japan. He won all his fights, including the final against Daniel Ghiţă. He became the first Glory Grand Slam champion.

Retirement

Semmy Schilt retired from fighting on June 26, 2013. His doctors told him to stop because of a heart condition.

Fighting Style

Semmy Schilt was known for his huge size and great physical condition. He often used his long reach to keep opponents away. He would wear them down with strikes from a distance. His style was careful and technical. It was very hard to knock him out. He was only knocked out twice in his entire kickboxing career.

Championships and Accomplishments

Kickboxing

• Glory
  • Glory Hall of Fame (2022)
  • Glory Heavyweight Championship (One time; First)
  • Glory 2012 Heavyweight Grand Slam Tournament Champion
• K-1
  • K-1 Super Heavyweight Championship (One time; First; Last)
  • 2009 K-1 World Grand Prix Champion
  • 2007 K-1 World Grand Prix Champion
  • 2006 K-1 World Grand Prix Champion
  • 2005 K-1 World Grand Prix Champion
  • 2005 K-1 World Grand Prix in Paris Champion

Mixed martial arts

• Pancrase
  • Openweight King of Pancrase (One time)
  • Two successful title defenses
• Fight Matrix
  • 1999 Fighter of the Year

Karate

• 2 times Daido Juku Hokutoki champion. open-weight division, 1996/1997
• 2 times IBK (International Budo Kai) European Champion Full contact karate (Knockdown karate rules) 1995/1996
• 3 times IBK (International Budo Kai) Dutch Champion Full contact karate (Knockdown karate rules) 1993/1994/1995
• Runner-up Open British Kyokushin Championship 1997
• Black Belt Magazine
  • 2008 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year
• In 2013 Semmy Schilt was officially inducted into the CBME's Dutch National Hall of Fame for the Martial arts.
• Rank
  • 6th dan black belt in Ashihara kaikan
  • Certified Instructor in Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling

Acting

Semmy Schilt also had small roles in movies.

Images for kids

• 

  Schilt in 2006

See also

In Spanish: Semmy Schilt para niños