10 Facts About Heavyweight Kickboxer Patrick Schmid
Patrick “Big Swiss” Schmid is ready to show the true extent of his skills to the global fan base at ONE: FIRST STRIKE.
After his scheduled kickboxing bout against Rade Opacic at “ONE on TNT I” was sidelined, the veteran striker accepted a last-minute mixed martial arts contest against “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane.
But on Friday, 15 October, “Big Swiss” will finally face Opacic in a heavyweight kickboxing tilt at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Here are 10 interesting facts about Schmid before his first all-striking match in ONE Championship.
#1 Hails From A Quiet Part Of A Big City
The 34-year-old was born in Zurich, Switzerland, one of the world’s largest financial centers.
But as a youngster, he lived on the outskirts of the city, where his favorite pastime was playing in the woods.
#2 He Lived In New York
At the age of 10, Schmid moved to Westchester County, New York, when his father – a banker – was transferred for work.
The family lived there for five years until they returned to their European homeland.
#3 How He Became ‘Big Swiss’
Before moving back to Switzerland, Schmid earned his fitting moniker in the United States.
The youngster was an avid sportsman and tried many different activities, but his size made him a good fit for American football, and that’s where his coaches and teammates dubbed him “Big Swiss.”
Because he was big. And Swiss.
#4 Cartoons Taught Him English
While it might be a slight exaggeration to suggest he learned English from “Dexter’s Laboratory,” German-speaking Schmid says that television was a big factor in helping him pick up the language from scratch when he moved across the Atlantic.
“I always say I learned English watching [American channel] Cartoon Network,” he says. “We didn’t learn before we went. We just sort of picked it up from watching TV and talking to people.”
#5 He Lived In Thailand
Though he’d trained in different martial arts during his youth, Schmid became more focused at the age of 18.
He committed himself to combat sports and even moved to Thailand for ten months in 2011, winning seven fights in a row during that time.
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#6 He’s Trained With ‘The Panther’
Before signing with The Home of Martial Arts, Schmid competed in Macau and found a great training partner to round out his fight camp.
“Big Swiss” headed to ONE Championship superstar Alain “The Panther” Ngalani’s Impakt Gym in nearby Hong Kong, and worked with the ONE veteran there.
#7 He’s A Decorated Striker
With his focus on martial arts, Schmid went on to have great success in the ring.
The Zurich native earned titles from various organizations, including the WTKA and AFSO, and he won the ISKA European Heavyweight Kickboxing Title.
#8 The Great Outdoors Are A Lifelong Passion
The Profight-Muki Gym representative grew up in the wilderness, and his adult years feature a similar lifestyle.
To this day, he enjoys many outdoor pursuits, including snowboarding, hiking, and scuba diving. With Switzerland’s beauty on his doorstep, Schmid will never get bored.
#9 He Has A Geekier Side
While he’s a professional fighter and an avid outdoorsman, Schmid has some contrasting hobbies.
The hard-hitting heavyweight loves to play chess, and he’s a big PC gamer, enjoying the likes of Age Of Empire, Mafia, and GTA.
#10 He Likes To Cook (And Eat)
Schmid can count cooking among his other skills – or at least being a sous chef.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, he ran a takeout food business with his fiancee – whom “Big Swiss” claims is the better cook – and he loves to make and try new food.
Read more: Meet The 2021 ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World GP Contenders
