Keanu Reeves is a well-known actor in Hollywood movies due to his impressive performance history. However, I wondered whether you knew he also holds a black belt in martial arts.
Throughout his career, Keanu Reeves has trained in many martial arts styles to help him perform more effectively in his acting roles. Classes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Karate, Kung Fu, Aikido, and Krav Maga were part of his various martial arts film roles training.
In this article for the blog, we will discuss the martial arts skills that Keanu Reeves possesses and analyze how those skills have aided him in his film career. Keep an eye out!
Does Keanu Reeves Know Any Martial Arts?
Keanu Reeves is an accomplished entertainer who has a background in martial arts. He is known for his roles in many successful action films, such as “The Matrix” and “John Wick.”
Keanu Reeves has been training in a variety of different styles of martial arts for the duration of his acting career. This has enabled him to play more successfully in the roles he has been cast in.
The following is a list of the various forms of martial arts that Keanu Reeves is skilled in:
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Judo
- Karate
- Kung Fu
- Aikido
- Krav Maga
- Boxing
- Japanese Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Keanu Reeves enrolled in Brazilian jiu Jitsu classes under the Machados brothers while preparing for John Wick films.
BJJ, also known as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, is a distinctive martial art everybody should learn. It emphasizes grappling and ground fighting and teaches impressive fighting skills.
Reeves has stated that practicing BJJ is an excellent strategy to keep oneself in condition and protect oneself in potentially dangerous circumstances.
In addition, it improves his ability to maintain his composure under duress while filming action sequences.
It is not just Keanu Reeves who practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu; other famous people do.
Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Garner, and Gerard Butler are a few more well-known people in the entertainment industry who are training in BJJ martial art.
Related: What Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? (Everything You Need to Know)
Judo
Keanu Reeves is also skilled in the martial art of Judo, which he has been studying in preparation for John Wick’s film.
In addition, Keanu has been presented with an honorary black belt in Judo to recognize his meaningful contributions to the spread of martial arts.
Keanu Reeves demonstrates some great judo moves in John Wick 2, and you can watch them right here.
Aside from that, Judo is an incredible martial art that enables one to protect themselves while maintaining a healthy body.
It emphasizes gaining leverage and maintaining equilibrium to throw off an opponent.
Moreover, Because Judo can be used offensively and defensively, it is an excellent martial art to learn for self-defense.
Keanu Reeves says that the mental and physical training required in Judo has assisted him in remaining centered and concentrated both on and off the set of his movies.
Related: What Is the Difference Between Jiu-Jitsu and Judo?
Karate
Karate is another fantastic form of martial arts that Keanu Reeves has studied in preparation for his profession in action movies.
It emphasizes defeating an opponent through forceful hand punches and kicks.
Karate is a fantastic kind of self-defense since it can be used offensively and defensively, making it a versatile martial art.
Aside from that, this martial arts style is beneficial to developing physical and mental health.
Related: What Is the Difference Between Jiu-Jitsu and Karate?
Kung Fu
Throughout his illustrious career, Keanu Reeves has demonstrated mastery in martial arts, including Kung Fu. It is a Chinese martial art that incorporates many fighting styles.
According to our research findings, Reeves trained in Kung Fu for the first time in the early 1990s in preparation for his role in The Matrix, Man Of Tai Chi, etc.
Krav Maga
In addition to his acting career, Keanu Reeves has a background in the martial arts of Krav Maga.
Reeves began his training in Krav Maga during his preparation for his role in the John Wick chapters,
The Israeli martial art of Krav Maga, also known simply as Krav Maga, was designed for self-defense.
It is a fighting technique emphasizing striking and grappling as primary self-defense against an adversary.
Aside from that, Krav Maga is a practical and effective method of self-defense that may be used in various settings.
Because it teaches pupils how to protect themselves against common forms of assault such as punches, kicks, and chokeholds. In addition to this, pupils are instructed to disarm an aggressor successfully.
Related: BJJ Vs. Krav Maga, Which Is Better?
Aikido
Reeves has been developing his skills in the martial art of Aikido while prepping for several popular fighting flicks, like John Wick.
Aikido is a martial art practiced in Japan that emphasizes redirecting the energy of the person you are fighting against to your advantage.
It is a very fluid and graceful style that often resembles dancing more closely than actual fighting. Consequently, Aikido can be a practical alternative for self-defense, among other benefits.
Related: Is Aikido Better Than Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Keanu Reeves Martial Arts Belts
Keanu has been observed engaging in numerous sessions of Brazilian jiu-jitsu training while donning a white belt. As a result, he has achieved the position of a white belt in the BJJ ranking system.
In addition, Keanu has received an honorary black belt in Judo, a gift given to famous people worldwide.
In addition, these incidents can occur even if the person does not train in martial arts, which initiates a lot of debate and brings people’s attention to the topic.
Is Keanu Reeves a Black Belt?
Keanu Reeves has studied various martial arts styles throughout his professional and personal life. However, he was never awarded a black belt while training at a martial arts dojo.
However, he is a holder of an honorary black belt in Judo. It was bestowed upon him by Nomura Tadahiro, a three-time Olympic champion in Judo.
Conclusion
Keanu Reeves is well-known for his skill in martial arts, which he has displayed in several of his fantastic action films.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Keanu has trained in various combat sports to perfect the fluidity and smoothness of his movements.
Keanu Reeves is skilled in martial arts: BJJ, Aikido, Kung Fu, Judo, Krav Maga, etc.
Aside from acting success, training in martial arts has helped Keanu become more disciplined, focused, and better able to control his body and emotions, among other benefits.
Moreover, several other famous performers, such as Jackie Chan, Chuck Norris, and Bruce Lee, have benefited professionally from martial arts training during their acting careers.
Of course, a martial arts background is not required to be an actor. Still, it can benefit individuals who pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
Many thanks for taking the time to read this! I hope that you found the information in this article to be enlightening.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Martial Arts Does John Wick Use?
Keanu Reeves’ character in the John Wick film series, John Wick, employs a variety of martial arts forms, including:
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Judo
- Krav Maga
- Boxing
- Gun Kata
- Knife Fighting
These martial arts are the basis of John Wick’s fighting style. They are extensively featured in the John Wick film’s action sequences.
What Is the Fighting Style of John Wick?
Keanu Reeves’s renowned hitman, John Wick, has won the hearts of moviegoers all around the globe with his remarkable fighting abilities and planned action sequences.
John Wick’s fighting style contains a plethora of martial arts, including BJJ, Krav Maga, Judo, etc.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo Combination
John Wick’s fighting style is based on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. Both martial arts are noted for their efficiency and effectiveness in grappling ground combat.
John Wick employs BJJ and Judo techniques in the films, including joint locks, chokeholds, and throws, to defeat his opponents.
Krav Maga and Boxing
While BJJ and Judo form the backbone of John Wick’s fighting technique, striking disciplines such as Krav Maga and Boxing are featured significantly in the films.
Krav Maga, an Israeli military self-defense method, is noted for its practical and effective skills. John Wick used Krav Maga techniques to defeat his contenders, including punches, kicks, and elbow strikes.
On the other hand, boxing is employed to give John Wick’s striking game more force and accuracy. The blows, jabs, and hooks of the character are all evocative of a talented boxer, providing authenticity to the combat sequences.
Gun Fu and Knife Fighting
The character’s ability with firearms is one of the most recognizable aspects of the John Wick films. He has used a range of weaponry in the movies.
The fictitious “Gun Fu” martial art greatly influences John Wick’s weapons usage. He entails wielding firearmsin an almost choreographed fashion, almost like a dance, which adds a new touch to the battle sequences.
John Wick has participated in knife combat mixed with striking and grappling in various instances.
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