Tomasz Kucharzewski
Encyclopedia
Tomasz Kucharzewski was a Polish-Canadian
martial artist. Kucharzewski initially gained fame while competitively fighting in Kyokushin kaikan and Shidōkan styles of karate
. Even though he proved to be greatly successful in karate, winning numerous national and international titles, Kucharzewski's later career saw him become more involved with mixed martial arts
and kickboxing
.
, Poland, Kucharzewski started training in karate at the age of 14. He had won three Polish national titles in Kyokushin kaikan style of karate and one European international title by the time he was 20 years old. He moved to Canada at age 23 in 1991 and settled in Windsor
, Ontario
from where he fought in an estimated 300 fights including five K-1
competitions. Kucharzewski was known by his contemporaries for his calm and friendly demeanor which led Albert Mady, his coach of 16 years, to describe him as "happy-go-lucky". During his run of five consecutive years from 1992 to 1996 of being crowned the International Shidōkan Champion, Tomasz Kucharzewski proved to be a dominating feature in the ring, enough so that the 35-year veteran karate teacher Roger Salick called him "indestructible" during Kucharzewski's run for his fourth straight title.
During the latter part of his life, Kucharzewski suffered a knee injury and was not as active in training and fighting anymore. He was found dead in his downtown Windsor apartment by family members on March 8, 2008. Although an autopsy
was performed on him, the cause of death was not immediately known.
According to Monika Kucharzewski, Tomasz' younger sister, doctors said that his death could have been caused by cardiac arrhythmia.
Polish Canadians
Polish Canadians are Citizens of Canada with Polish ancestry, and Poles who immigrated to Canada from abroad. According to the 2001 census by Statistics Canada, 984,585 Canadians claim full or partial Polish ancestry.-History:...
martial artist. Kucharzewski initially gained fame while competitively fighting in Kyokushin kaikan and Shidōkan styles of karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
. Even though he proved to be greatly successful in karate, winning numerous national and international titles, Kucharzewski's later career saw him become more involved with mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
and kickboxing
Kickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
.
Biography and career
Born in the city of CzęstochowaCzestochowa
Częstochowa is a city in south Poland on the Warta River with 240,027 inhabitants . It has been situated in the Silesian Voivodeship since 1999, and was previously the capital of Częstochowa Voivodeship...
, Poland, Kucharzewski started training in karate at the age of 14. He had won three Polish national titles in Kyokushin kaikan style of karate and one European international title by the time he was 20 years old. He moved to Canada at age 23 in 1991 and settled in Windsor
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
from where he fought in an estimated 300 fights including five K-1
K-1
K-1 is a defunct world-wide kickboxing promotion based in Tokyo, Japan founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a formerKyokushin karate practitioner. K-1 combines stand up techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San Shou, kickboxing, western-style boxing, and other martial arts...
competitions. Kucharzewski was known by his contemporaries for his calm and friendly demeanor which led Albert Mady, his coach of 16 years, to describe him as "happy-go-lucky". During his run of five consecutive years from 1992 to 1996 of being crowned the International Shidōkan Champion, Tomasz Kucharzewski proved to be a dominating feature in the ring, enough so that the 35-year veteran karate teacher Roger Salick called him "indestructible" during Kucharzewski's run for his fourth straight title.
During the latter part of his life, Kucharzewski suffered a knee injury and was not as active in training and fighting anymore. He was found dead in his downtown Windsor apartment by family members on March 8, 2008. Although an autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
was performed on him, the cause of death was not immediately known.
According to Monika Kucharzewski, Tomasz' younger sister, doctors said that his death could have been caused by cardiac arrhythmia.
Titles won
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1988–1990 | Polish National Champion - Kyokushin kaikan |
| 1988 | OYAMA Cup European Champion |
| 1991 | Canadian National Champion |
| 1992–1994 | Sabaki Champion |
| 1992–1996 | International Shidōkan Champion |
| 1993 | Ontario heavy weight amateur boxing Boxing Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds... champion |
| 1994 | Shidōkan World Champion |
| 1999 | World Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing.... champion |
| 2000 | K-1 USA Championships 2000 runner up |
External links
- Official website
- Profile at MMAuniverse.com