Golden boy from Interlaken | 7. November 2024
Kickboxer Michael “Mike” Jantschgi has done it again – the Meiringer native, who now lives on Bödeli, has won the world championship title for the tenth time. The 43-year-old recently prevailed against his opponents in Greece. Does this mean that the successful martial artist is as wealthy as Roger Federer? And which opponent is waiting next? Maybe his boss at Jungfrau Railways?
Where does a boy learn to fight better than in the schoolyard? “We actually still had fights,” says Mike, as if it were a memory of another era. Today, such “archaic behavior” is viewed with suspicion by some benevolent voices – accompanied by raised eyebrows and a deep, worried sigh, as if the goal was to preserve the civilized integrity of the youth. It’s almost as if a little shedding of skin could possibly contribute to the entropy of the entire social structure. “I have the feeling that it didn’t do any harm if we let ourselves go now and then.” Giving others a run for their money in a professional setting is something the likeable Bernese Oberlander is good at – very good, in fact.
Two months ago, Michael “Mike” Jantschgi from Interlaken won the WMAC world championship title…Photos: Ben Abegglen
… the WKU title was recently added in Greece.
Multiple world champion, multiple millionaire?
Just as effortlessly as the Jungfrau Railway fought its way up to the highest station in Europe, Michael “Mike” Jantschgi from Interlaken seemed to become world champion just as easily. “There’s a little more to it,” explains the 43-year-old with a smile. The kickboxer fought his way to the pinnacle of success for the tenth time. Mike won his most recent title at the WKU World Championships in Rhodes a few weeks ago. He won the gold medal in the veterans category over 85 kilograms (ages 35 and over), and there was also bronze in the men’s category over 90 kilograms (ages 18 and over).
I was an avid shaker until I was 16 […]
Michael «Mike» Jantschgi Ten-time kickboxing world champion Interlaken
Despite his 100 percent workload at Jungfrau Railways as head of resource planning, the ten-time kickboxing world champion and native of Meiringen still finds time and energy to train regularly. And how much money does an athlete of his stature earn? About the same as a Federer?
At 43, Mike is in top shape – and earning millions? “No, unfortunately not.”
Mike has to laugh when he is asked about the financial aspect. “Making millions of francs from kickboxing would be great. In reality it’s more of a big minus.” Prize money is only paid out selectively by the associations in which Mike fights. «The World Kickboxing and Karate Union – WKU for short – doesn’t let anything go. It’s similar with the World Martial Arts Committee, the WMAC.”
The Oberlander, who won the WMAC world championship title two months ago, explains: “Prize money is rare and usually only for the winners of the World Cup events.” In addition, there is the training, travel, stay, meals and the participation fee, which are largely borne by the athletes. Another example of Switzerland as a sporting desert in which fringe sports thrive far less well than in other countries. “Thanks to the support of regional sponsors, our Meiringen-Spiez Karate Kickboxing Club is in a somewhat better position.”
As a small boy, the Haslitaler initially devoted himself to football – with some success.
From footballer to fist popper
However, Mike doesn’t want to complain. “Kickboxing still gives me great joy. I like the physical exertion, the mental aspect and, above all, the fact that this martial art is a school of life.” As a little boy from Haslital, he initially devoted himself entirely to football. “I was an enthusiastic shaker until I was 16 and made it to the second division.” Then the break.
Your head rings when you get hit with a punch or kicked
Michael «Mike» Jantschgi Ten-time kickboxing world champion Interlaken
“A coach had me dance for a game and only told me when I asked on the spot that I wouldn’t be playing.” After the former football player was invited to a kickboxing trial by a friend, Mike found a passion for martial arts. “After just three months I was allowed to compete in my first professional competition.” There was an A and a B selection. “The B team was a little less strong, so my coach and mentor Antonio Berlingieri signed me up there. And what can I say? I easily won the match and was promoted to A straight away afterwards.”
Mike’s namesake, the former heavyweight boxer Tyson, once said: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.”
Numerous fights followed in which Mike learned more and more what is important in kickboxing. “It takes a certain amount of looseness, a healthy dose of aggression and a game plan.” It was the legendary heavyweight boxer and namesake Mike Tyson who once said: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” The kickboxer from the Bernese Oberland had to laugh when he heard this “wisdom”. «Yes, that’s a good point. That’s why I decided against full contact sports.” Unlike boxing, full-contact kickboxing or mixed martial arts (MMA), in point fighting, in which Mike competes, a point is awarded for every hit and the fight is briefly interrupted. “Which doesn’t mean that things are going smoothly. It really rings in your head when you get hit with a punch or a kick.”
A show fight on the Höhematte against his boss Urs Kessler? Mike would be there.
Kessler versus Jantschgi?
According to Mike, he always had a particularly bad headache after the “Grand Champion” events. “There are no weight or age restrictions in these competitions.” Which means something like – everything is let loose on each other. “To put it bluntly, it’s exactly the same. The first world championship title that I was able to win in 2016 was even nicer.” The Oberlander was named “Grand Champion” in Orlando. “Then we went to Las Vegas for a few days to celebrate.” What exactly these celebrations looked like remains Mike’s secret.
In two years the martial artist will be back in the “City of Sin”. “Then I will be 45 years old and will also be able to compete in the Masters category.” It would be conceivable that the Oberlander would win three world championship titles in one fell swoop. “I’ve made it my goal to do that when my body allows it. But first comes the World Cup in Trier, in southwest Germany. Next year I will be able to fight on my doorstep, so to speak.”
In two years Mike wants to compete in Las Vegas and ideally take home three world championship titles.
Even closer to his front door would be the Höhematte in Interlaken, the ideal backdrop for a show fight. Such events are currently very popular, as the current example of Mike Tyson against Jake Paul shows. The two celebrities will meet in mid-November. As part of this fight, would it be worth considering letting the soon-to-be-departing managing director of Jungfrau Railways, Urs Kessler, compete in the ring?
Kessler, who brought the Asian guests to the Bödeli, and Jantschgi, as the spiritual successor to Andy Hug, the martial arts icon in Asia. Wouldn’t that be an event that would be remembered? “Absolutely,” explains Mike and adds: “I would be there in a heartbeat!” Even if the official comment from Jungfrau Railways is: “We’ll leave the show fight alone,” there’s still a smile left behind. Ultimately, it would be a spectacular reminder of all these years and a farewell gesture to Kessler that would do the Bernese Oberland an honor – at least in the imagination.
The focus of the Oberland martial artist is on the upcoming world championship, which will take place next year on his doorstep in the German city of Trier.
