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22nd Aug 2022

Tom Hardy’s Jiu-Jitsu opponent was forced to tap out before getting his arm broken

April Curtin

Hardy won every match by submission

A Jiu-Jitsu fighter who unexpectedly competed against Tom Hardy was forced to tap out before his arm broke.

Danny Appleton, 40, had no idea the Hollywood superstar was even at the REORG charity competition in Wolverhampton on Saturday – let alone that he would end up facing him on the martial arts mat.

Appleton, an ex-Army veteran, gave it his all in the semi-final, but eventually had to submit after fellow blue-belt Hardy got him locked into an armbar.

In the next round, Hardy proved his tough guy image wasn’t limited to the screen, winning every match by submission and securing himself a gold medal. A video shared by Jiu-Jitsu Geoff on TikTok showed Hardy taking down his opponents with clear ease.

 

@geoffpavey tom hardy getting the arm bar at the reorg open #tomhardy #tomhardyfans #warrior #mma #ufc #bellator #jiujitsu #armbar #kimura #submission ♬ original sound – Jiujitsugeoff

All proceeds from the event went to the REORG, which teaches the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to those suffering with PTSD, depression or life-altering injuries. Hardy was named the charity’s head ambassador in 2018.

Despite his loss, Appleton felt he made the right decision while competing against the Peaky Blinders star.

Speaking to Teeside Live, he said: “As soon as you know it’s straight and it’s on – if you don’t tap, your arm is going to snap.”

Explaining the strange moment he found himself opposite Hardy at the event, he said: “You never want to let down your children or your gym, so you’ve got all that to contend with and then Tom Hardy is stood across from you.

“I was definitely starstruck.”

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