Entertainment
Tom Hardy makes surprise appearance at martial arts tournament
Now, the blockbuster star can add martial arts champion to his record of action-packed accolades.
The 45-year-old English actor gained gold on the 2022 UMAC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open Championships on Saturday after quietly coming into the competitors, organizers informed CNN.
Whereas bystanders and different rivals have been left surprised when Hardy turned up on the college corridor in Milton Keynes, England, organizers mentioned he was merely “retaining his phrase.”
Mohamed Itoumaine, a referee and spokesman for the event’s organizer, Final Martial Arts Championships, informed CNN on Wednesday that Hardy had agreed to participate within the competitors following his low-key look on the REORG Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship final month. Itoumaine was a referee on the earlier event in Wolverhampton.
“I used to be actually excited and impressed as a result of he informed me on the championship that ‘I am coming to yours subsequent’ and saved his phrase,” Itoumaine mentioned.”It is rather exhausting to get a well-known individual to return to an area competitors as a result of their schedules are so busy.”
Itoumaine mentioned UMAC saved the Hollywood star’s attendance quiet to keep away from including any stress on Hardy forward of the competitors.
And when Hardy arrived, he made certain to ship. Itoumaine mentioned Hardy dominated his division and certified by means of phases earlier than taking dwelling the highest prize.
“[Hardy] is a legit blue belt. I’ve over 10 years of expertise as a ref and after I first noticed him compete on the REORG championship, I knew he would smash it at my competitors,” Itoumaine mentioned.
“It takes dedication and exhausting work to succeed in that degree. He’s technically, bodily, and mentally expert. He’s somebody that desires to win in the absolute best method, which is making his opponent submit and faucet out.”
Itoumaine, a second-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, mentioned he plans to carry extra competitions subsequent yr and hopes the star will enter additional tournaments.
CNN contacted Hardy’s representatives for remark.