Msome stars are not only blessed with above-average talent, but also have real skills in the field of martial arts! Whether Taekwondo, Kung Fu, Judo or Karate, many stars have been practicing a martial art for years and some even have a black belt!
Everyone knew that Tom Hardy knew martial arts on screen, but now he’s proven once again that his talent doesn’t just lie on screen. According to media reports, the actor quietly and secretly competed at an open martial arts championship in the English town of Milton Keynes – and finished the tournament as the winner!
Hardy has long been known as a “tough guy” who played roles in films like “Mad Max”, “The Dark Knight Rises” or “Warrior”. How good he actually is at what he does is described by the comment of one of his opponents: Him called him “probably the toughest competitor I’ve ever had”.
Although Tom Hardy is no stranger, he appeared humble at the tournament and patiently took photos with fans, the tournament spokesman said. A true champion.
In the following gallery you can see which stars are better not to step on their toes and who is fit for martial arts.
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Tom Hardy
Back in August, Hardy showed his skills at a jiu-jitsu charity tournament in Wolverhampton, where he won two gold medals in his belt and weight divisions: one in the gi (traditional martial arts clothing) category and another in the no-gi category , reports People. The contest raised money for REORG, an organization that supports veterans, military and emergency services personnel struggling with depression, PTSD and “life-changing physical injuries,” according to its website, which also lists Hardy as a trustee is. REORG offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a form of therapy. According to Newsweek, Hardy began training with the organization when he began learning jiu-jitsu for his role in 2011’s ‘Warrior.’
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Gisele Bündchen
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Ashton Kutcher
The actor practices the Brazilian version of Jiu-Jitsu and even has a purple belt.
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Jessica Alba
The actress practices Tae-Bo, a martial arts technique that combines elements of kickboxing and boxing. She has also done taekwondo. Jessica Alba usually performs her film stunts herself and revealed in an interview that martial arts help her stay young and fit.
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Nicholas Cage
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Naomi Watts
In addition to her seemingly never fading beauty and acting talent, Naomi also knows Jiu-Jitsu.
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Mel Gibson
The Australian actor and film director practices the Japanese martial art Jiu-jitsu and the Chinese version of Tai Chi Chuan. So Mel Gibson is also well prepared for overly obtrusive fans.
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Jennifer Aniston
The actress is well versed in karate. Maybe her secret to looking great is in martial arts training.
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Christian Bale
The actor practices the Chinese martial art Kung Fu. He was even able to prove his skills in the film “The Dark Knight” (2008).
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Sharon Stone
The American actress trained in the martial arts of taekwondo for her role as Lori Quaid in the classic film ‘Total Recall’ (2012).
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Mick Jagger
In addition to his stage presence and voice, the frontman of the Rolling Stones has other talents: he practiced judo for many years.
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Jodie Foster
It’s no secret that the actress has been practicing karate and kickboxing for years. This also means that she is very good at taking care of herself!
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Jack Black
The actor and prankster knows his way around judo quite well and knows how to help when it matters most.
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Robert Downey Jr.
The American actor practices kung fu. It almost looks like Robert Downey Jr. is a superhero in real life too.
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Jessica Biel
The American actress practices various martial arts to stay physically slim and fit.
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Jim Carrey
The American actor and comedian is also a fan of the Brazilian version of Jiu-Jitsu.
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Madonna
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Barack Obama
The former President of the United States practices Taekwondo. He received the black belt as a tribute and gift from former South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak.
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Elvis Presley (1935–1977)
Elvis’ interest in karate was sparked in 1958 while doing military service in Germany. Throughout his career, he has trained under various masters in the kenpo style of karate. In 1973 he earned his 7th degree black belt. The following year he was awarded an 8th degree black belt.
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Elvis Presley (1935–1977)
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll also often showed off his karate moves on stage – kicking and cutting the air with his hands and feet to the beat of the music.
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Evan Rachel Wood
Not only does she impress with her beauty and acting talent, she also knows martial arts. In taekwondo she has made it to the black belt.
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David Beckham
The English football star holds a black belt in taekwondo and his children are also enthusiastic martial arts students.
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Keanu Reeves
It is said that the actor had to learn over 200 different martial arts moves for his role as Neo in the classic film ‘The Matrix’ (1999).
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Kobe Bryant
One of the most famous US basketball players trained Jeet Kune Do. This special martial art was developed by martial arts legend and film star Bruce Lee.
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Bruce Lee (1940–1973)
It is arguably the star of the stars among martial artists. Bruce Lee worked as a martial arts teacher and philosopher before finding fame as an actor and director. Jeet Kune Do, a martial art practiced by many celebrities today, goes back to him.
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Bruce Lee (1940–1973)
In the 1960s, Lee played Kato, an expert in karate, in the adventure series The Green Hornet.
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Bruce Lee (1940–1973)
Fame as a movie star was not long in coming. His most famous film is probably The Man With The Deathclaw (1973), which is considered one of the greatest martial arts films of all time.
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Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris is a true martial arts master. His own martial arts school teaches Chun Kuk Do, a mixture of Tangsudo, Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Muay Thai and Shodokan. Here he is with Bruce Lee in a scene in the film ‘The Deathclaw Strikes Again’ (1972).
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Steven Seagal
He holds a 7th Dan Black Belt in Aikido. This no doubt helps him in his many roles as a tough guy. He actually started out as a martial arts teacher in Japan!
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Vin Diesel
The American action hero trained in the Thai martial art Muay Thai for a while.
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Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton is another politician who knows martial arts. The 42nd President of the United States trained in the Korean martial art Taekwondo.
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Dwayne Johnson
Before his career as an action hero, the actor was known as “The Rock” in the wrestling scene. He gained notoriety as a WWE Champion. It’s debatable whether or not wrestling is a martial art.
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Jason Statham
The British action hero is a master of martial arts. In addition to Wing Chun, Kung Fu and Karate, the actor also knows the Brazilian version of Jiu-Jitsu and kickboxing. Jason Statham is known for acting out his own action scenes in films like ‘Crank’, ‘Parker’ and ‘The Transporter’ through his martial arts background.
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Jackie Chan
He is one of the most famous movie stars celebrated for his incredible stunts. Born in Hong Kong, Chan is skilled in the martial arts of kung fu, hapkido, karate, judo, taekwondo and jeet kune do. He is arguably one of the fittest actors out there.
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Angela Merkel
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The Swedish football star can also score off the pitch. He holds a black belt in taekwondo and shows it when playing soccer.
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Vladimir Putin
The Russian President doesn’t just rule his country. The Russian head of state also holds the black belt in judo.
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Steve McQueen (1930–1980)
The legendary actor is among the first stars to take an interest in martial arts. He was coached by Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris.
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James Coburn (1928–2002)
McQueen’s buddy and co-star James Coburn was also acquainted with Bruce Lee and was one of his private students. McQueen and Coburn were pallbearers at Lee’s funeral in 1973.
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David Carradine (1939–2009)
Carrdine, who starred in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill movies, is also remembered for his role as Kwai Chang Caine on the television series Kung Fu in the 1970s.
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David Carradine (1936–2009)
He practiced sword fighting, boxing and street fighting for a long time. By 2003, he had perfected his skills to the point where he made several Tai Chi and Qigong videos for beginners, in which he also appears.
Also interesting: The bizarre hobbies of the stars.
