Just days after he secretly entered — and won — a Jiu-Jitsu competition over the weekend, Tom Hardy has revealed what made him participate in the first place.
The Oscar-nominated actor, 45, shocked a group of martial artists in England after he showed up at the competition on Saturday as an accomplished blue belt in the self-defense discipline.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday following his win, “The Revenant” star revealed he participated in the championship as a part of the global nonprofit organization REORG.
“Addiction is difficult and complex stuff to navigate; as is mental health,” Hardy wrote. “Subjects which are both deeply personal for me and extremely close to my heart.”
He added, “It is an honor to be able to represent the charity and my team REORG and the great work they do supporting the mental health and well-being of veterans of service, military, and first responders through the therapeutic benefits of Jiu Jitsu and fitness training.”
The “Venom” actor said the sport helped him develop “a deeper sense of inner resilience.”
Tom Hardy poses with his first place medal following the competition.Sean Rosborough / SWNS“Simple training, for me (as a hobby and a private love) has been fundamentally key to further develop a deeper sense of inner resilience, calm, and well-being,” he explained. “I can’t stress the importance it has had and the impact on my life and my fellow teammates.”
According to The Guardian, Hardy entered the competition under his real name “Edward,” straying away from his stage name, which is also his middle name.
Tom Hardy’s opponent told local media the actor’s appearance over the weekend left him “shell-shocked.”Sean Rosborough / SWNSHardy has been open about his past struggle with substance abuse, including a tough time in his life when he was addicted to alcohol and drugs back in 2002.
Last month, Hardy won two medals at a fundraiser jiu-jitsu competition for REORG.
Hardy took up a grueling training program with the organization in a bid to prepare for his 2011 film “Warrior.”
