Remy "The Flying Gentleman" Bonjasky (born January 10, 1976 in Paramaribo, Suriname) is a professional Dutch-Surinamese Heavyweight kickboxer and reigning three-time K-1 World Grand Prix champion. He is famous for his excellent defense, flying kicks, and knee attacks.
Biography
Bonjasky was born in Suriname, and moved to the Netherlands when he was 5 years old.
Bonjasky was involved in soccer during his teens, but when he broke his leg he chose to stop playing. At the age of 18, when a friend brought him to a Muay Thai gym (Mejiro Gym) to "see who is the best", Bonjasky decided to stay and train and eventually fell in love with Muay Thai.
Bonjasky had his first fight at the age of 19 against an established Dutch mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter named Valentijn Overeem. Bonjasky won by TKO. From this moment on he quit his job as a network operator and focused on training full time.
Despite losing his first K-1 fight by split decision he made his second fight against an established K-1 fighter, Ray Sefo. Despite the odds he won the fight by TKO.
Bonjasky worked as a banker at ABN Amro for a time.
Career
On December 6, 2003 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 quarter-finals in Tokyo, Japan, Bonjasky was matched up against Australian fighter Peter "The Chief" Graham. Remy won the fight by a TKO in the first round. In semi-finals Cyril Abidi fell victim of The Flying Gentleman's flying knee attacks, and after defeating Musashi in the tournament finals by unanimous decision Bonjasky was crowned the K-1 World champion.
In 2004 he accumulated wins over Tsuyoshi Nakasako, Francois Botha, Aziz Khattou and ex-sumo champion Chad "Akebono" Rowan.
On December 4, 2004 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2004, with three decision wins over Ernesto Hoost, Francois Botha and Musashi, Bonjasky successfully defended his K-1 WGP title.
He presented himself on November 19, 2005 for the K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 finals in Tokyo, to keep his title for a third consecutive year, but was stopped by Semmy Schilt's knee strikes in the tournament's semi-finals.
In 2006, after his divorce and change of trainers, he came back to the K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 finals. In his quarter-final match against German fighter Stefan Leko, Bonjasky got hit in the groin twice in the first round and the fight was postponed for 30 minutes. When the bout resumed, Bonjasky still managed to win the fight by a unanimous decision. However, because of a persisting injury to the groin, he was not able to continue the tournament and was replaced by Peter Aerts.
Remy-Bonjasky Source:www.postproduktie.nlNear the end of July 2007 Bonjasky helped Dutch police in the arrest of two British criminals. The two men had shot darts at passers-by with a rifle while they were on the move in a van. Bonjasky was their last victim, and after having been hit by the dart he pursued the van in a cab and proceeded to call the police who managed to arrest the criminals. Following the arrest, Bonjasky received a medal for this courageous and honorable act. In addition he could declare the costs of the cab.
On September 29, 2007 Bonjasky had a rematch with Stefan Leko at the K-1 World GP 2007 in Seoul Final 16 event. He won the fight by TKO when the ref stoped it in the first round after landing his trademark flying knee strike. The win qualified him for the K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 Finals which were held on December 8, 2007 at the Yokohama Arena in Japan.
At the K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 Finals, Remy Bonjasky faced fellow Dutch Muay Thai fighter Badr Hari. He won the fight by decision. In the semi-finals he faced Dutch legend Peter Aerts, who he lost to, leaving him as eliminated.
Bonjasky started off 2008 by knocking out Melvin Manhoef in Amsterdam, Volk Atajev in Tapei and majority decision over Paul Slowinski in the K-1 16 to qualify for his 6th Grand Prix appearance.
When his quarterfinal opponent, Jerome Lebanner had to retire from the fight due to his arm injury from 2002 he went on to knock out Gokhan Saki in the semi-final. He then won his 3rd K-1 title after Badr Hari was disqualified for an unsportsmanlike foot stomp on Bonjasky while he was down in the second round. Hari was originally issued a yellow card but was eventually disqualified after the doctor said Remy had double vision, and could not continue.
In his last fight, he faced Alistair Overeem. Overeem was aggressive in the 1st and dominant in the 2nd round, knocking Bonjasky down in the end of the 2nd round with a right cross, but referee Nobuaki Kakuda didn't count it. In the 3rd round Remy knocked Alistair down with a flying knee and right punch combo to secure an unanimous decision win. All three judges scored the bout 30-28. It was latter confirmed that Remy had badly twisted his left knee 2 days before the fight (reason for his inactivity). Remy went on medical recovery after the fight and did not fight again for months.
Remy returned to training to train for the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final 16. At the event he deafeated Melvin Manhoef, for the third time, by a unanimous decision. Although wobbled a couple of times by the huge power of his Fan-Favourite opponent Remy showed his superiority by staying compact and landing his trademark knees and low kicks.
At the selection for the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final Remy was challenged by Errol Zimmerman. Remy accepted to fight the much younger fighter and expects a good match.
Titles
2008 K-1 World Grand Prix champion
2004 K-1 World Grand Prix champion
2003 K-1 World Grand Prix champion
2003 K-1 World Grand Prix in Las Vegas II champion
1999 WPKA World Super Heavyweight Muay Thai champion
1998 KO Power Tournament runner-up
1998 IPMTF European Super Heavyweight champion