K-1 Grand Prix '93
K-1 Grand Prix '93 was a martial arts event held by the K-1 organization on April 30, 1993, at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. It was the inaugural K-1 World Grand Prix, featuring an eight-man tournament fought under K-1 rules (3 min. × 3 rounds + 1 extra round). The eight tournament qualifiers were all invited on the basis of their achievements in the kickboxing world (for more information on this see the bulleted list below). As well as tournament matches there was also a full contact karate bout between Andy Hug and Nobuaki Kakuda. The event featured ten fights with fighters representing seven countries. The winner was Branko Cikatić who defeated Ernesto Hoost in the final by first-round knockout, becoming the first K-1 World champion. Tournament Qualifiers Peter Aerts - W.M.T.A. Muay Thai Heavyweight World champion, I.K.B.F. World Heavyweight champion Toshiyuki Atokawa - Karate World Cup '91 champion, All Japan Open Karate Championships champion Branko Cikatić - I.K.B.F. Kickboxing World Cruiserweight champion, W.K.A. Kickboxing World Cruiserweight champion, Muay Thai World Light Heavyweight Champion Todd Hays - US National Kickboxing Heavyweight champion Ernesto Hoost - W.K.A. Kickboxing World champion, W.M.T.A. Muay Thai World Light Heavyweight champion, Savate World