Dutch kickboxing legend Andy Souwer is one of the most successful and respected fighters in the history of this sport. He was a special guest at SENSHI for the highly anticipated gala evening in Varna, Bulgaria, on September 13, where the first-ever Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament took place. For the leading media outlet Sportal.bg and journalist Daniel Lyubomirov, he shared his expectations for the tournament.
Born on November 9, 1982, in Den Bosch, the Netherlands, Andy Souwer began his career at an early age and gradually established himself as a symbol of technique and relentless style in the lightweight and middleweight divisions. Souwer is part of the elite generation of fighters who turned K-1 World MAX into the most prestigious stage for fighters under 70 kg, alongside Buakaw, Masato, Giorgio Petrosyan, and Mike Zambidis. His legacy in combat sports continues to inspire the new generation of kickboxers worldwide. At the SENSHI 28 Grand Prix, all the heavyweight fighters expressed their admiration for the opportunity to compete in front of a legend like Souwer.
“I am excited because SENSHI once again is doing something amazing for kickboxing as a whole, and this time we are talking about a heavyweight tournament, which is incredible,” he shared in his interview with the sports media. “There is no way to explain to someone who has not experienced it themselves what the mental strength required to fight in a Grand Prix tournament is like – by the end, you are so exhausted you cannot even feel your body. I do not know what it is like to die, but the feeling is very close to that. You are so deeply sunk into the ocean that you cannot breathe… And then comes the euphoria of the final victory. For that one single feeling, it is worth participating in tournaments like SENSHI Grand Prix!” Andy concluded.
He is a two-time champion of the prestigious K-1 World MAX series – in 2005 and 2007 – where he defeated stars such as Buakaw, Masato, and J.Z. Calvan. In addition, he is a four-time Shoot Boxing World Champion (2002, 2004, 2008, 2009) and won the It’s Showtime 70MAX world title in 2010. With over 180 professional bouts and more than 160 victories, dozens of them by knockout, Souwer ranks among the most accomplished fighters of his generation.
His style combines traditional Dutch kickboxing with Muay Thai and Shoot Boxing, distinguished by fast combinations, angle changes, and powerful low kicks. With his constant pressure and intelligent approach to fighting, he became a favorite of the Japanese audience and dominated the rings of K-1, Shoot Boxing, and RIZIN for many years. Today, Andy Souwer is a board member of KWU SENSHI and a regular guest in Bulgaria as an instructor at the international training camps of the organization, as well as a referee, judge, and commentator at the SENSHI fight galas. You can watch a video of his full interview for Sportal.bg.
In early December 2025, Souwer will once again come to Varna, Bulgaria, to join the star-studded team of SENSHI legends, who will share their experience and guide the performances of the next generation of fighters.
