5 Fun Facts About Romanian Kickboxer Andrei Stoica
Since joining the world’s largest martial arts organization in 2019, Andrei “Mister KO” Stoica has wanted to win a ONE World Title belt.
He will now get that chance when he challenges ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion Roman Kryklia in the main event of ONE: COLLISION COURSE on Friday, 18 December.
Before the action kicks off at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, here are five fun facts about the Romanian kickboxing icon.
#1 Dedicated Family Man
Behind Stoica’s tough kickboxing persona is a loveable dad.
Stoica has three children – two boys and a girl – that he tries to spend as much quality time with as possible.
He often dresses up with them in superhero costumes, wears matching Christmas sweaters with them, and takes them on family hikes.
But when he’s looking to do something a bit more relaxed, Stoica will watch a good movie with his kids – popcorn included.
#2 Older Brother To Recent ONE Signee
This past May, “Mister KO’s” younger brother, “The Bucharest Bad Boy” Bogdan Stoica, put pen to paper and inked a deal with the promotion to compete in its all-striking league, ONE Super Series.
“The Bucharest Bad Boy” may be new to The Home Of Martial Arts, but he’s already competed all over the world, defeating some of the best kickboxers on the planet.
Bogdan is a multiple-time kickboxing champion and, like his brother, a multiple-time wushu champion.
The two also own their family gym, Stoica Brothers Fight Academy, in their hometown of Bucharest, Romania.
- Andrei Stoica Finishes Anderson Silva With Incredible KO
- Roman Kryklia’s Journey From A Small Town To The Global Stage
- Bogdan Stoica Set To Join His Brother In ONE Super Series
#3 National And European Wushu Champion
Stoica may be known for his explosive kickboxing style, but before the Romanian began dominating the sport in 2009, he had already established himself as a bona fide striker in another martial art.
He won the gold three times in the Romanian National Wushu Championships and also won the European Wushu Championships on one occasion.
“Mister KO” may have planned for wushu to take him into the realm of kickboxing, but he may not have planned for where kickboxing would eventually take him – to Romanian television.
#4 Once Appeared On A Reality TV Show
Stoica once appeared as a contestant on the Romanian reality TV show “Ferma Vedetelor,” which was modeled after the Swedish reality TV show called “The Farm.”
On the show, a group of celebrities endure life on a farm while being completely disconnected from the outside world.
The celebrities have no access to the internet, telephones, or even newspapers, and their main objective is to not get evicted from the farm.
How do they accomplish this? By being nominated as the “farmer of the week” for their contributions to the homestead. If they make it to the end of the show, they win the grand prize.
#5 Fan Of Romania’s National Soccer Team
Stoica must’ve been predestined to love all things kicking because when he’s not launching his legs at someone in ONE Super Series, he’s watching other athletes kick things – primarily soccer balls.
“Mister KO” is a die-hard fan of the Romanian National Football Team, also known as the Tricolorii.
Tricolorii first competed in the FIFA World Cup in 1930, and the squad has qualified six more times since then.
Read more: How To Watch ONE: COLLISION COURSE
