One of the best professional kickboxers nicknamed Jet (Jet) - Benny Urkides. Films with his participation are still watched with pleasure. Benny showed skill not only in films. Of the two hundred fights, he did not lose a single match and remained undefeated. The article presents his biography.
Benny Urkides: childhood
The future athlete was born on June 10, 1952. It was then that Benny was born in the USA, in California, in Los Angeles. His parents were professional athletes. Mother was engaged in wrestling, and father - in boxing. Parents, according to Benny, played an important role in his fighting career. And he began to learn wrestling from childhood. About the origin of Benny is half Spaniard, partly the blood of the American Indians flows in it.
The beginning of a sports career
Benny Urkides began boxing at the age of three. At five, he began to perform in the ring. At 8, he began vocational training. His first coach was Bill Ruisaki. As a result, he received a black belt at the age of 14. And it was very unusual for the 60s. By 1964, Benny was considered a colorful fighter.
World-class
In 1973, Urkides performed at the international championship in contactless fights. And defeated John Natividad. In 1974 he performed at competitions in Belgium and England. At that time, he was already part of the American team of E. Parker. In the same year, he refused the fight in a contactless style. He participated in the World Cup in martial arts and won.
For twenty years of his sports career, Benny Urkides has performed in many versions of kickboxing. And he became the record holder for victories. Over 20 years, Urkides managed to hold the league title. In 1977, he went to Japan, which he then visited for the first time. In competitions in the first fight in the sixth round, Katsuyuki Suzuki knocked out.
Then an invincible fighter Kunimatsu Okau was put up against him. In the fourth round, Urkides knocked him out. Since 1980, Benny has appeared less and less in the ring. Between 1981 and 1984 there were very few fights. This period ended with Benny's next victory over I. Sprang.
Since 1985, Urquidez’s sports career has somewhat slowed down. In 1989, he fought with Nobui Azuki, and in 1993 with Yoshihisa Tagami. After that, Benny retrained for the most part as a coach.
End of sports career
Urquidez's sports career lasted quite a while. He won the 6 World Cup and for 24 years performed in different weight categories. The last fight Benny Urkides spent with 25-year-old Japanese champion Tagami. Competitions were held in 1993. At that time he was already 42 years old.
After finishing his sports career, Benny Urkides (kickboxing) became a coach. Since he has nine black belts in various martial arts (karate, aikido, etc.), he wrote many training books and became the author of training films. His coaching club is located in California, in Hollywood.
B. Urkides is the highest paid and famous martial arts teacher in the world. He is the personal instructor of many top models and Hollywood stars. For example, Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Nicole Kidman and many others.
Professional kickboxer Benny Urkides: films with his participation
After 1993, he not only became a professional kickboxing trainer. He put a lot of tricks for the militants. And personally starred in many films. His brother Urk, in addition to his sports career, was also an actor. Together with him, Benny starred in a documentary film.
After the end of his sports career, he became not only a coach. Occasionally starred in movies. For example, Benny Urkides and Jackie Chan played together in the films "Dragon Forever" and "Diner on Wheels." The famous athlete became the hero of the Japanese comic book "Reactive Benny."
Personal life
Wife benny their name is Sarah. They had a daughter, whom the couple named Monique. Not only Benny continues to practice kickboxing at the club, but also his beautiful women. Sarah and Monique are also fighting. Urkides announced that there were only three women in his life: his wife, daughter and mother.
Interesting facts from the life of Urkides
Crown "chip" Urkides - kick in a jump with a turn (otherwise - spinner). Of the 200 fights that the athlete conducted, he did not lose a single time. And in 63 matches at the World Cup 57 times he knocked out rivals. Moreover, Urkides often fought even with those who exceeded his weight category and height. In the 80s. Benny challenged R. Leonard, but the boxer did not accept this challenge.
It was Benny Urkides who became the founder of Ukidokan Karate. And this style in Japan is recognized as official art. He calls Ukidokan Karate a synthesis of nine disciplines. He took from everyone only what he needed, and combined it into one whole. The result is a completely new style. This style is not only a fight in the ring, it has elements of street fighting. Benny teaches his students to confront the enemy in any fights. Including in street fights.
B. Urkides has three dark spots in the sports field. Three times the results of the battles were recorded “without result and announcement”. In 1977, Urkides opposed Narongnoy Kiatbandit (Muay Thai). In round 9 he was on the floor. The second battle in 1978 is clearly visible on video. And it is clear that the rival of Urkides won. The third time Benny lost to the American Billy Jackson.
But all three times there were reasons why the results of the battle were not announced, and the victory to the opponents of Urkides was not counted. Either the violation of the rules of the duel, the fight was simply indicative, the gloves were larger than the required size. Thus, all three defeats of Urquidez went unnoticed and went into the past under the record “without announcement of the result”.