Tom Hardy surprised the spectators at a martial arts competition in a tiny English city on Saturday by quietly entering the competition and winning all of his matches.
According to a story posted by The Hollywood Reporter, Hardy entered the Milton Keynes, England, high school gym's 2022 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open Championship. Both onlookers and opponents were taken aback by his sudden appearance because he had entered under his true name, Edward Hardy.
Tom Hardy's Dominating Performance
In a manner similar to his performance in the 2011 MMA movie Warrior, Hardy emerged from nowhere to win every match at the Ultimate Martial Arts Championships (UMAC). A spokesman for the competition described Hardy as a "very pleasant gentleman" in an interview with The Guardian.
The spokesperson stated that everyone recognized the actor but he was "very humble" and took time for people to take pictures with him. He added that it was great to have Tom Hardy Jiu-Jitsu was showcased in their tournament.
The 45-year-old actor earned gold at the 2022 UMAC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open Championships on Saturday. Hardy has unexpectedly entered a martial arts competition twice in recent months, including his shocking participation on Saturday in Milton Keynes.
The 'Mad Max: Fury Road' actor won the Wolverhampton, England, REORG Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship in August. After competing against Hardy in Wolverhampton, Danny Appleby was interviewed by a local newspaper Teeside Gazette. "I knew who he was right away. Doesn't everyone recognize Tom Hardy?"
"I was shell-shocked," Appleby admitted but Hardy asked him to carry on as normal, Variety reported. Appleby claimed in the interview that he was surprised to know that, like the Bane character he portrayed in the Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises, Tom Hardy was a powerful fighter and probably the most challenging opponent he has ever fought.
Hardy is preparing a third 'Venom' movie with screenwriter Kelly Marcel. In 'Havoc,' a forthcoming Netflix action film from 'The Raid' director Gareth Evans, Hardy also has a starring role.
Hardy Proves He is a Legit Fighter
Mohamed Itoumaine, a referee and spokesman for the tournament's organizer, claimed that Hardy is "a legit blue belt" in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Itoumaine claimed that UMAC kept the Hollywood star's visit a secret to relieve Hardy of any unwanted pressure before the competition. And Hardy made sure to deliver when he showed up, according to CNN.
Itoumaine claimed that Hardy won his division handily and advanced through the competition before taking home the top honor. Social media posts depict a victorious Hardy holding his diploma that is signed with his real name, "Edward Hardy," on it.
He said that in his more than 10 years of being a referee and after witnessing Tom Hardy martial arts skills at the REORG competition, he knew that the actor would win. The spokesman said it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get to his skill level as the Hollywood star possesses technical, physical, and cerebral aptitude.
The spokesman added that Hardy is someone who seeks to defeat his opponent by forcing him to tap out to win as effectively as possible. Itoumaine, a second-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, expects the star will attend more tournaments next year.
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