Jérôme Le Banner (France)
Martial Arts Legend
Jérôme Le Banner was born in the French city of Le Havre, in the région of Normandy and began training in judo at the age of five.
When he was sixteen, Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury influenced him so much that he started practicing kyokushin instead, while trying to incorporate the techniques of Jeet Kune Do he had seen in the film.
Jeet Kune Do gave him the southpaw stance which he has maintained throughout his career, even though he is right-handed. He eventually took up Kickboxing at age of 18. Le Banner holds a black belt in the Kyokushin Kaikan style of karate and in Judo.
Titles:
Kickboxing and Muay thai
2015 I.S.K.A. K1 rules World Super Heavyweight title (current)
2013 W.K.N. Kickboxing Oriental World Super Heavyweight Champion (current)
2012 W.K.N. Kickboxing Oriental World Super Heavyweight Champion (second title defence)
2011 World Pro League Kickboxing Super Heavyweight Champion (current)
2011 I.S.K.A. Freestyle Kickboxing World Super Heavyweight Champion (current)
2010 W.P.M.F. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion
2007 K-1 World Grand Prix Final third place
2005 W.K.N. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion (first title defence)
2002 K-1 World Grand Prix Final Runner Up
2001 K-1 World Grand Prix in Osaka Champion
2000 K-1 World Grand Prix in Nagoya Champion
2000 I.S.K.A. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion (third title defence)
2000 I.S.K.A. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion (second title defence)
1999 K-1 World Grand Prix Final 3rd Place
1998 W.K.N. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion
1997 I.S.K.A. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion (first title defence)
1996 I.S.K.A. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion
1995 K-1 World Grand Prix Final Runner Up
1994 R.C.F.A. World Super Heavyweight Champion
1994 I.S.K.A. Full Contact Intercontinental Super Heavyweight Champion
1994 I.S.K.A. Full Contact European Super Heavyweight Champion
1992 I.S.K.A. Full Contact French Super Heavyweight Champion
1992 FFUBADA French Cup Full Contact Champion (-91 kg) in Paris
1990 FFUBADA Full Contact French Junior Champion in Gymnase Japy, Paris
Awards
2009 Pantheon of Sports and Martial Arts Hall of Fame in Tokyo, Japan
2007 K-1 World GP 2007 Final MVP and best fight of the tournament versus Hong-Man Choi
1999 Fuji Television Best fight of the K-1 World GP 1999 Final versus Peter Aerts
1997 Fuji Television and Special Ringside Magazine Best fight of the K-1 Grand Prix '97 first round in Osaka versus Rick Roufus
1997 Karaté Bushido Magazine Gold Katana of the best Muaythai fighter at 12th Martial arts Festival, Paris, Bercy
Professional wrestling
2011-2012 IGF Super Luxurious 200 Million Yen Belt Champion