British rap star Tinie Tempah has made a surprising career shift, winning a gold medal in the same jiu-jitsu competition as Hollywood star Tom Hardy. Last weekend, the 35-year-old showcased his victory on Instagram after emerging winner at the third annual Reorg Jiu Jitsu Championships at East London University.
Tempah, real name Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, has in the recent past enjoyed a successful music career with hits like “Pass Out,” “Frisky,” and “Invincible.”
The rap star, celebrated for his music career with BRIT Awards, MOBO Awards, and an Ivor Novello, has added another achievement to his list after taking up jiu-jitsu in 2020, according to Daily Mail.
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Celebrating his jiu-jitsu victory on social media, Tempah shared photos of himself wearing his gold medal and celebrating with his team. He also posted footage of his intense grappling match with an opponent on the mat.
The victorious rapper captioned his post writing: “REORG OPEN 2024 No Gi Gold! OSSSSSSSSS.”
His prowess in jiu-jitsu has even earned praise from UFC fighter Conor McGregor, following his gold medal win at the English BJJ Open last year.
In a 2022 interview with Reorg Charity, Tempah shared his passion for the sport, saying, “I got into jiu-jitsu a couple of years ago and it is incredible but really tough. 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!”
Tempah follows in the footsteps of film star Hardy, who showcased his jiu-jitsu skills by winning two gold medals at a charity championship in 2022. Hardy’s victory included a dramatic match where his Army veteran opponent, Danny Appleton, had to “tap out” to avoid a broken arm.
Hardy recently revealed that practicing jiu-jitsu has been crucial for his well-being, aiding in his struggles with addiction and mental health.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, he explained how martial arts has had a positive impact on his life and noted his involvement in the REORG global non-profit organization.
Hardy began training with REORG while preparing for his 2011 film “Warrior” and later used mixed martial arts to transform his physique for his 2018 role in “Venom.”
