Tom Hardy proved he’s been keeping up with his training from his days in the 2011 martial arts movie Warrior: He reportedly took gold after competing in the 2022 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open Championship in Milton Keyes, England on Saturday.
According to the local paper Teeside Gazette, the blue belt quietly entered the Oakgrove School and competed under his birth name Edward Hardy — but that didn’t stop fans and fellow competitors from spotting the Mad Max: Fury Road star.
“I recognized him straight away. Everyone knows who Tom Hardy is, don’t they?” said one of Hardy’s competitors, local martial artist Danny Appleby. “I was shell-shocked. He said ‘just forget it’s me and do what you would normally do.'”
After submitting to the actor’s arm bar, Appleby admitted Hardy was the real deal, saying, “He’s a really strong guy. You wouldn’t think it with him being a celebrity.”
The amateur fighter was no slouch, for the record, explaining he fought his way to the medaling podium six times prior to facing Hardy; Appleby took bronze to Hardy’s gold. “[H]e’s probably the toughest competitor I’ve had – he certainly lived up to his Bane character, that’s for sure,” Appleby said.
Hardy played the brutal, muscled Batman villain in Christopher Nolan‘s The Dark Knight Rises.
Incidentally, this isn’t the first time this year Hardy has been spotted testing his skills. Last month, he also took gold at a charity BJJ event in Wolverhampton, England. As he did on Saturday, the scruffy Venom series actor took time to pose for pictures with fans.
Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
Music notes: Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and more
May 10, 2024
During her second Eras Tour concert in Paris, France, on Friday, May 10, Taylor Swift wore a…
‘Tires’: Netflix rolls out trailer to Shane Gillis’ comedy series
May 10, 2024
NetflixNetflix has rolled out the trailer to Tires, the comedy series featuring stand-up and actor…
Go on tour with Hozier in new video for “Too Sweet”
May 10, 2024
ABC/Paula LoboIt's unusual for an artist to release a video for a song after it's already hit #1 on…
Gordon Ramsay and Fox cook up culinary and lifestyle venture, Bite
May 10, 2024
FoxGordon Ramsay and Fox are taking a Bite out of the culinary marketplace.On Friday, May 10, the…
Dua Lipa’s ‘Radical Optimism’ debuts at #1 on British chart with big sales
The Latest,Discover New Music,Music News
May 10, 2024
Tyrone Lebon/Warner RecordsDua Lipa's Radical Optimism has paid off: Her album dances into the #1…
Marvel movie vet Frank Grillo joins second season of ‘Peacemaker’
May 10, 2024
Grillo, Gunn: Getty Images for Disney -- Warner Bros. DiscoveryJames Gunn is making good on his…
New Music Friday: Camila Cabello, BTS’ RM, MAX and more
The Latest,Discover New Music,Music News
May 10, 2024
Camila Cabello has released another song from her upcoming album C, XOXO: a collaboration with Lil…
Ready the tossed salad and scrambled eggs: Second season of ‘Frasier’ reboot is underway
The Latest,What to Watch,Entertainment
May 10, 2024
Paramount+/Pamela LittkyOn Friday, May 9, Paramount+ reported the second season of the reboot of…