Japanese actor Hiroshi Tamaki, 46, captured the bronze medal in the Master 4 purple‑belt feather‑weight division (≤70 kg) at the 2026 IBJJF European Championship in Lisbon on 17 May. His third‑place finish highlights the growing presence of Japanese athletes in international Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu and demonstrates how disciplined training can pay off even alongside a demanding acting career.
Event Overview
The IBJJF European Championship, held annually in Portugal’s capital, is the continent’s largest Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu tournament, featuring over 2,000 competitors from more than 40 nations. As a key qualifier for world‑level events, the championship follows the strict rules and ranking system of the International Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu Federation.
Tamaki’s Journey to the Podium
Tamaki began training in Tokyo in 2019, initially to stay fit for his acting roles. Under veteran black‑belt instructor Masato Kurosawa, he earned his purple belt and steadily progressed toward competition. “BJJ teaches you humility, timing, and the ability to stay calm under pressure—skills that translate directly to the screen,” he explained after his medal ceremony.
Key Matches and Techniques
In the preliminaries, Tamaki used precise guard passes and timely submissions to advance. During the quarter‑finals he secured an arm‑triangle choke for his first ippon of the day. A tough semi‑final loss to a German black‑belt led to a defensive scramble, but he rebounded in the bronze‑medal bout, applying a flawless kimura that forced his opponent to tap at 3:12.
Impact on Japanese BJJ
Tamaki’s success brings mainstream attention to Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu in Japan, a sport traditionally eclipsed by judo and karate. Academy owner Yuki Saito notes a surge in trial class requests following the medal, saying, “People are asking, ‘Can I train like Hiroshi‑san?’ This momentum helps demystify the sport and attract new talent.”
Future Plans
Looking ahead, Tamaki aims to compete at the upcoming IBJJF World Championship in Long Beach, California. “The Lisbon medal is just the beginning,” he said. “I want to test myself against the world’s best and inspire more people in Japan to discover the art of Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu.”
