The Headhunter – Stanley Nandex
He was known as the Headhunter in his brutal past profession and is one of those rare Papua New Guineans who have reached the pinnacle of their sport on an international level from the humble beginnings of the village.
Today, he still plays a key role in the development of the youth of PNG through the establishment of his kickboxing schools around the country.
I remember when the name Stanley Nandex was all over our newspapers, radio, and television – but there was rarely any televised footage of the man plying his trade.
It was one thing to read and hear about Nandex’s travels and victories in Australia and Turkey but to actually picture them mentally was just about impossible.
Which is why when I found this little clip of the Headhunter featuring some of his victories, I was slightly taken aback. Stanley Nandex was good – very good. Check it out:
Holy Cow! He’s Good! how cant a i heard about him before…
is he in retirement?
Hi Ritchie,
Thanks for your comment. Stanley “The Headhunter” Nandex is retired now – he’s back in PNG promoting kick-boxing and has since started up a couple of kick-boxing schools around our country. His schools are already churning out the next generation of PNG kick-boxing stars.
His success in Australia and Turkey is largely due to his A1 World Combat Cup promoter – Tarik Solak.
You can find more information about Tarik Solak here: http://www.solak.com.au/
Sometimes I wander why people retire but that is our destiny. The Head Hunter has not only been a great sportsman as well as great entertainer with his signature kick. Good to see the Head Hunter is back in PNG grooming up and coming junior Heat Hunters in the likes of Laurie Nandex and Andy Sam to name a few. Farewell, Stanley Nandex “Head Hunter”. You’ve done us proud!!!
Stanley Nandex won the WKA thaiboxing worldtitle -83kg this year!
Go PNG!
Am always proud to be supporter of Nandex through his kickboxing carrier as a simple village boy who made it up to be a world champion in Kick-boxing. What a great silent achiever. He has done PNG proud and a true PNG flag carrier. You’ve done us proud.