Tom Hardy makes surprise appearance at Southampton event

Tom Hardy, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, was unexpectedly seen coaching a student from the sidelines at an event organised by Enyo Grappling in Southampton.

The event, held on June 7 at Central Hall, attracted more than 40 of the UK’s top female Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes and over 300 spectators.

The competition was spearheaded by Joanne Wellstead, a BJJ black belt and owner of Parity Martial Arts.

Enyo Grappling draws crowd and celebrity to Central Hall arena (Image: Joanne Wellstead) Enyo Grappling, the UK’s premier women-only grappling show, aims to enhance the visibility and recognition of female athletes in the sport.

Besides organising competitions, Joanne runs women-only classes three times a week and organises open mats across the country.

This initiative is part of a broader movement to build a vibrant, inclusive community within the grappling world.

The event was a celebration of the strength and skill of female Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes, and a testament to the growing community of women in the sport.

The presence of Hardy highlighted the growing support for women’s BJJ at every level.