Choi, Hong-man (Hong-man Choi) ( born on October 30, 1980)) is a Korean kickboxer and former Ssirum wrestler. He currently competes in K-1. He stands 2.18 meters (7'2") tall and has a 9-2 record in K-1 since debuting at the World GP 2005 event in Seoul in March, 2005. In the World Grand Prix Final 2005, he lost to Remy Bonjasky by decision.

Choi Hong Man has only lost once to Remi by decision. He has never been knocked down once. He got his nickname "techno goliath" when he was a ssirum player, or ssirum wrestler in South Korea, before he became a K1 fighter. Ssirum is a Korean traditional wrestling art, similar to Japanese sumo wrestling. When Choi won a Ssirum competition, he would dance to techno music. His dancing excited the crowd and they often joined in the dancing. This made his victories very enjoyable and made him quite popular. He is actually a very good dancer for such a huge man. The nickname "Techno Goliath" was a result of his victory daces and his large size.

He has had 11 fights in K1 winning 9. Choi is doing extremely well for a beginner in the K1 competition. On June 2006 at the World GP 2006 event in Seoul, he defeated the current K-1 World Champion Semmy Schilt on points, but the result is very disputed because of Choi´s advantage of fighting at home.

Even though he won on descision points 2-1 against this world champion at home, the challenger Semmy Schilt held up a good fight. Schilt, despite the smaller of the two still held his own with his good kicking game. Normally Schilt's opponents try to hug him and when he gets close to avoid getting hit by them their fight plan changes to a running game. This match was different however. Choi mixed things up and ended up pinning the world champion into the corner, striking him several times to earn his points.

Since his third fight vs. Akebono Taro in July 2006, the most he has weighed is 364 lbs. On September 30, 2006, Choi fought vs. Jérôme Le Banner in the final eliminations, and lost very disputed after 3 Rounds and 1 extra Round on points. Le Banner said after the fight: "He is dangerous, his knees are already almost at the level of my head, he's not human! But he's a good guy and I like him, he's very tough, maybe the strongest guy in K-1, and he has hard bones -- when I kicked him, it hurt my leg! I'm sure with more experience, in two years no one will be able to knock him out!"

Titles and Accomplishments

• 2002: King of Iron Fist Tournament '02
• 2003: Jinan Competition '03
• 2003: The General Championship '03
• 2004: Jungwal Competition '04
• 2004: Hamyang Competition '04
• 2005: K-1 WORLD GP 2005 in Seoul Champion