Tom Hardy has cemented his reputation as a fully fledged action star on screen, and it seems his hard-man credentials are as strong in real life.
The Mad Max: Fury Road star took gold at the 2022 UMAC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open Championships at the weekend, after quietly entering the competition which was held in a modest school hall in Milton Keynes, England.
Bystanders and competitors were reportedly stunned to see the Oscar-nominated actor take part in the competition, organised by Ultimate Martial Arts Championships.
Mohamed Itoumaine, who was referee for the competition, told CNN that Hardy had agreed to take part in the competition after winning gold in another championship held in Wolverhampton in the UK last month.
“I was really excited and impressed because he told me at the championship that 'I'm coming to yours next' and kept his word," Itoumaine said. "It is very hard to get a famous person to come to a local competition because their schedules are so busy."
Itoumaine said he didn’t want to publicise Hardy’s involvement in the competition in advance to avoid any public pressure.
He said Hardy dominated his division and breezed through the competition’s various stages before taking home the top prize.
In photos posted on social media, Hardy can be seen holding his certificate, made out to his real name, Edward Hardy.
"Hardy is a legit blue belt,” Itoumaine said. "It takes dedication and hard work to reach that level. He is technically, physically, and mentally skilled. He is someone that wants to win in the best possible way, which is making his opponent submit and tap out."
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Company%20Profile
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BMW M5 specs
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
