He's starred in hits like "Nodame Cantabile", "The Way of the Househusband", and the live-action "Golden Kamuy" – and actor Hiroshi Tamaki is still riding high. Now 46, he's got another impressive title to add to his resume: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete.
Tamaki has been seriously into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in recent years, actively competing in various global tournaments and proving that age is just a number when it comes to passion for the sport. He recently competed in the IBJJF World Master Jiu-Jitsu Championship held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, entering the Master 4 Purple Belt Featherweight division. He ultimately fought his way to a third-place finish, taking home a bronze medal!
Tamaki currently holds a purple belt, which is a high-level rank, just below black and brown belts, signifying considerable skill and experience.
This year's Master 4 Purple Belt Featherweight division was no cakewalk, with 21 athletes vying for the top spot. Tamaki competed in four matches throughout the series, ultimately falling short in the semi-finals by submission after a tough fight where he showed incredible resilience despite being behind.
After a first-round bye, he secured a submission victory in the second round with a triangle choke. In the third round, he held onto a narrow 2-2 lead with a single advantage point, clinching another hard-fought win.
In the semi-finals, he faced the eventual champion. Despite falling behind 0-7, he continued to battle fiercely before ultimately losing by submission via a choke. Two of his victories in this tournament were either by submission or by grinding out a win in a tight match, making for a truly impressive and exciting performance.
Tamaki has actually mentioned his deep love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in past interviews. Since competing in the World Master Championship in Las Vegas in 2023, he's been diligently training his physique and refining his tactics, hoping to continue making a splash in competitions. It's clear this sport means a lot to him.
Fans are absolutely buzzing about Tamaki's "hard skills" outside of acting, exclaiming how incredible it is that he can dedicate himself to such intense training and even compete internationally while juggling his acting career. It's truly remarkable! Especially after welcoming his second child with wife Haruna Kinami late last year, this father of two shows no signs of slowing down his training. Talk about respect!
via： X@ARTA BJJ Hiroo