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."
13 famous people who are also artists, from Brad Pitt to King Charles III — in pictures
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Actor Brad Pitt, right, and musician Nick Cave, left, with British artist Thomas Houseago at the opening of the exhibition 'Thomas Houseago - WE with Nick Cave and Brad Bitt' where Pitt debuted nine sculptures and Cave showed 17 glazed ceramics. AFP -
Robbie Williams and his creative partner Ed Godrich in front of one of their black and white paintings which are named after 80's girl's names. Photo: Twitter -
Pierce Brosnan started painting in 1987. Instagram -
Brad Pitt is a fan of actress Alia Shawkat's artworks. Instagram -
‘Girls’ actress Jemima Kirke has been painting since she was 7 years old. Instagram -
President George W Bush has painted former governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Instagram -
Britney Spears has shared photos and videos of herself painting on social media. Instagram -
Prince Charles's works have been exhibited at Windsor Castle, featured on UK stamps and on a Swiss ski pass. Instagram, courtesy highgrovegardens.com -
Singer Halsey illustrated the cover for her bestselling book of poetry, ‘I Would Leave Me if I Could’. Instagram -
Sylvester Stallone's primary muse is his most famous character, Rocky Balboa. Courtesy stalloneart.com -
Seth Rogen has been working on his pottery for about two years, starting with a collection of ashtrays. Instagram -
‘Charlie’s Angels’ star Lucy Liu used to paint under the pseudonym Yu Ling. Instagram
