Tom Hardy proved his badass on Saturday, winning all of his matches at the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Open in Milton Keynes and surprising his teammates.
But Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Jack Magee – who teaches the martial art at Mad Hatters Asylum in Chichester – said he has been following the film star’s development for some time.
“Having worked with REORG, I saw him on the mat for a long time. He’s been training for a while. Many people don’t know how much work he puts in and how much training he has had. So for me, it wasn’t really a surprise.
REORG is a charity that provides Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training for people living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other long-term conditions. Hardy, a blue belt in the martial arts, is a REORG administrator and often helps promote the organization. In August he won the REORG Open in Wolverhampton in August, which was aimed at raising funds for the armed forces and emergency service personnel.
Mr Magee added: “I was more surprised to hear that he would be competing in a local competition like that. I think that says a lot about the humility of this sport. Tom Hardy is a superstar, but on the mats there are no superstars. You could train with anyone from lawyers to laborers to advisors. There are all these different types of people on the mat that normally wouldn’t come together. I think that’s Jiu Jitsu. »
Jiu-Jitsu athletes focus on overpowering opponents with a variety of armbars, pins, chokeholds, and chokeholds. It sounds difficult, but Mr. Magee said you don’t have to be Bane (who Hardy portrayed in 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises) to participate.
“I think the majority of people who stick with Jiu-Jitsu, the people who really enjoy it, are people who like to overcome a physical threat by thinking about it. I think it appeals to thinkers, rather than big muscles. the guys you see at the gym.
Additionally, the martial art can provide a number of benefits beyond self-defense and physical fitness. Mr Magee said it’s a gateway to a new health-conscious lifestyle that’s as good for your brain as it is for your waistline: “When you’re struggling, you’re in the moment. You can’t worry about work, finances or everyday stress. You have to be here and now. »
“It keeps you fit and healthy, and because it can be so taxing, you end up making different decisions. You end up eating a little better, your fitness improves, you want to do more exercise so you can last longer on the mats and you hang out with like-minded, fit people who want to train hard.
