British rapper in shock profession change as he wins gold medal

A British rap star has embarked on a surprise career change as it’s revealed he won a gold medal in the same jiu-jitsu competition that Hollywood star Tom Hardy triumphed in.

Tinie Tempah took to Instagram last weekend to show off his prize after emerging victorious at third annual Reorg Jiu Jitsu Championships held at East London University.

The 35-year-old, real name Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, previously had a successful music career, releasing huge hits suck as Pass Out, Frisky and Invincible.

He also has numerous accolades under his belt including BRIT awards, MOBO awards and an Ivor Novello gong.

And Tinie recently added to his successes after dominating the competition after getting into the self-defence martial art back in 2020.

Tinie took to social media to share a series of snaps of him wearing his medal as he celebrated his win with his team.

He also shared footage of himself grappling his opponent on the mat. 

The triumphant rapper captioned his post writing: ‘REORG OPEN 2024 No Gi Gold! OSSSSSSSSS.’

So good he is at the sport that UFC fighter Conor McGregor heaped praise on him last year after he bagged another gold medal at the English BJJ Open. 

Opening up about his love of jiu-jitsu back in 2022, Tinie said in an interview with Reorg Charity: ‘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!’

Tinie follows in the footsteps of film star Tom Hardy who proved he was a real life action star after winning two gold medals in a charity Jiu-Jitsu championship in 2022 – with his Army veteran opponent Danny Appleton admitting he had to ‘tap out’ before his arm was broken.

Footage of the actor emerged showing him dominating the competition and winning all his matches at the REORG Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship at Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton.

Teesside-native Danny revealed he didn’t realise his opponent would be the Peaky Blinders star, who is a fellow blue belt, until reaching the semi-final.

He told LADbible of the ‘surreal’ experience: ‘I did try my best, but he was just a lot stronger than me, I’ve got to admit. He’s a strong guy and a talented guy, too.

‘I’ve got the story to tell, the kids were there to watch – which was the main thing – and I got a bronze medal – so it’s not at all a loss – and I lived to tell the tale.’

And on having to ‘tap out’, he confessed: ‘As soon as you know it’s straight and it’s on – if you don’t tap, your arm is going to snap. It’s as simple as that.’ 

Tom later told how practicing jiu-jitsu has been ‘key’ to helping his ‘well being‘ as well as past battles with addiction and mental health. 

He shared a passionate Instagram post about the positive impact the martial art has had on his life and said he participated in the competition as part of global non-profit organisation REORG. 

Tom started training with REORG and learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu while preparing for his role as a MMA fighter in the 2011 film Warrior.  

More recently, as part of his preparation for his role in 2018 Venom film, he transformed his physique with mixed martial arts workouts.