Tinie Tempah is the latest celebrity to show off his Brazilian jiu-jitsu [BJJ] skills.
The rapper and singer picked up a gold medal when he competed at the third annual Reorg Jiu Jitsu Championships, which took place at East London University last weekend.
Reorg is a charity that creates safe environments through functional fitness and jiu-jitsu for veterans, military and emergency services personnel to support their physical and mental wellbeing
Tinie – real name Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu – shared several pictures of him posing with his gold medal to Instagram, alongside the caption: “REORG OPEN 2024 No Gi Gold! OSSSSSSSSS.”
The ‘Pass Out’ hitmaker also shared footage of him locking up a deep guillotine choke on one of his opponents – but it cut out before he got the tap.
This is not the first time Tinie has impressed fans with his BJJ ability.
In December 2023, the blue belt got a shout out from UFC superstar Conor McGregor after winning another gold medal at the English BJJ Open.
Tinie beat his opponent 4-0 on points to claim the ‘Master 1 Blue Belt Lightweight Division’ title.
“I got into jiu-jitsu a couple of years ago and it is incredible but really tough,” he said in 2022.
“I had done other martial arts before and a bit of boxing, but this really takes it to another level.
“Nothing can quite describe what it feels like to have somebody spend five minutes trying really hard to choke you unconscious. But if you can get through that, you can get through anything.
“The vibe is great because everyone is focused on getting better and they are all helping each other out. It sounds strange – helping each other out and beating each other up. It is all part of the fun!”
Tom Hardy was the first major celebrity to test his BJJ skills in public.
The Peaky Blinder star shocked everyone when he turned up at the first Reorg jiu-jitsu Championship and channelled Ronda Rousey to win by armbar.
Hardy has been videoed at other tournaments since then and even inspired Facebook billionaire Mark Zuckerberg to test out his submission skills at a tournament in California in May 2023.
While seeing people like Tinie, Hardy and Zuckerberg at jiu-jitsu tournaments is a shock to some people, it’s less surprising to those in the sport, which is becoming overrun by celebrities.
Ashton Kutcher, of ‘That 70s Show’ and ‘Two and a Half Men’ fame, is the proud owner of a BJJ brown belt after taking up the BJJ over ten years ago.
Other notable actors who are highly ranked in the ancient martial art include Jason Statham and Russell Brand, who both hold purple belts after years of training.
Joe Rogan and film director Guy Ritchie both hold black belts. WWE legend Dave Bautista is a brown belt and musician Demi Lovato is a purple belt.
News Summary:
- Rapper Tinie Tempah wins gold at Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament Tom Hardy conquered two years ago
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