Tom Hardy surprises with a win at martial arts competition

Actor Tom Hardy has starred in several blockbuster movie franchises, including Batman, Venom, and Mad Max. Now he has added another feather to his cap by winning the gold medal at the 2022 Ultimate Martial Arts Championships, dominating the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open Championship held recently in Milton Keynes, England.

Hardy joined the contest quietly under his real name, Edward Hardy, and the organizers kept his participation a secret so as to avoid putting undue pressure on the actor. The audience and other competitors were surprised by his appearance, and his opponents commented that he was a tough fighter, as he went about winning all his matches.

Tom Hardy: Tough guy on and offscreen

Apparently the star was able to channel his tough-guy personas into the ring, dominating other fighters and eventually taking home the gold.

Tournament spokesperson and referee Mohamed Itourmaine told The Guardian that Hardy had promised to join his competition during another jiu-jitsu tournament that took place last month. He had signed up and won the REORG Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship, which was put together to raise funds for members of the military and emergency workers.

Organizers said that the British actor was a skilled fighter technically, physically, and mentally. They described Hardy as a “really nice guy” who took the time to pose for photographs with fans.

Hardy is a high-level blue belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu who has trained in boxing and muay thai.

He is currently preparing to film the next installment of the Venom franchise and a movie for Netflix.