Keanu Reeves, a well-known Hollywood actor, holds a black belt in martial arts.
He has trained in various styles for his film roles, such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Karate, Kung Fu, Aikido, and Krav Maga.
In this article, we will analyze how his martial arts skills have helped him in his film career.
Keanu Reeves Martial Arts
Keanu Reeves is a renowned actor with a martial arts background. He’s famous for his roles in action movies like The Matrix and John Wick.
He has trained in various martial arts styles, enabling him to perform his roles more authentically. Here are the martial arts styles Keanu Reeves has mastered:
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
While preparing for John Wick, Keanu Reeves learned Brazilian jiu-jitsu from the Machado brothers.
BJJ is a unique martial art focusing on grappling and ground fighting. Reeves finds it an excellent way to stay fit and defend himself in dangerous situations.
Famous stars like Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Garner, and Gerard Butler also train at BJJ.
Judo
Keanu Reeves is skilled in Judo, which he studied for his role in John Wick’s film.
He has been presented with an honorary black belt for his contributions to the spread of martial arts.
Judo emphasizes gaining leverage and maintaining equilibrium, making it an excellent martial art for self-defense and maintaining a healthy body.
Keanu credits Judo for helping him remain focused on and off the set.
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 self-defense technique because 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.
Kung Fu
Throughout his illustrious career, Keanu Reeves has demonstrated mastery in martial arts, including kung fu. This 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
Keanu Reeves has a background in Krav Maga, an Israeli martial art for self-defense. He learned it for his role in the John Wick movies.
Krav Maga emphasizes striking and grappling as primary self-defense.
This fighting style teaches pupils to protect themselves against common forms of assault and successfully disarm an aggressor.
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.
Keanu Reeves Martial Arts Belts
Keanu trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and holds a white belt.
He has also been gifted an honorary black belt in Judo. It’s possible to receive these honors without training, which sparks debates.
Is Keanu Reeves a Black Belt?
Keanu Reeves has studied various martial arts styles professionally and personally. However, he was never awarded a black belt while training at a martial arts dojo.
However, he holds an honorary black belt in Judo, which was bestowed upon him by Nomura Tadahiro, a three-time Olympic champion in Judo.
Conclusion
Keanu Reeves is known for his martial arts skills in action films.
His training in various combat sports, including BJJ, Aikido, Kung Fu, Judo, and Krav Maga, helped him become disciplined, focused, and better able to control his body and emotions.
Martial arts can give an advantage to individuals pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.
Related: Find out whether Laurence Fishburne is a martial arts expert! Examine the actor’s fighting abilities and capabilities and his most notable film roles that showcase his fighting aptitude. Click here to discover more!
