Keanu Reeves, the renowned actor known for his iconic roles as Neo in The Matrix and John Wick in the movie series bearing the same name, is proficient in several martial arts, including Judo, Karate, Krav Maga, and Jiu Jitsu.
Although he is currently a White Belt in BJJ, he has been coached by the legendary Machado brothers. Machado brothers are BJJ world champions and have close ties to the Gracie family.
Rigan Machado in particular serves as a coach to many different stars, and has his own BJJ modality. In addition to that, he also has close ties to the stuntman team Keanu trained with for John Wick franchise.
Throughout his career, Keanu has taken on numerous roles that demand excellent physical condition and martial arts expertise, including BJJ.
He trains inconsistently in Jiu Jitsu, along with other martial arts, as he uses these skills to prepare for his roles in action movies. While he has never been a competitive athlete, Keanu possesses great basic knowledge of many martial arts, including BJJ.
His understanding of movements and ability to demonstrate offensive and defensive moves make his movie characters authentic.
In preparation for his role as John Wick, Keanu trained in BJJ and Judo for 2 hours every day. The intense training he underwent was documented by his coach, John Machado, on his YouTube channel.
Nomura Tadahiro, one of the greatest judokas of all time and a three-time Olympic gold medalist, bestowed an honorary black belt in judo to Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves in Tokyo.
This gesture not only recognizes Reeves’ dedication to the sport but also highlights the impact of judo on popular culture.
Nomura, who retired from competitive judo in 2015, is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished judokas in history. He has won numerous awards and accolades throughout his illustrious career, including three Olympic gold medals, seven World Championships, and four Asian Games gold medals.
Reeves’ four-month training in judo for his role in the blockbuster action film John Wick had garnered him the attention of the judo community.
Keanu’s dedication to his craft is undeniable, and his martial arts and combat skills have been commended by Joe Rogan.
Keanu Reeves is a great actor and celebrity who is loved by many. Though he is not a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu expert, he holds the sport in high regard and is an excellent representative for it. We hope that he continues to train in Jiu Jitsu, even if he is not preparing for a movie role.
