PRO DIARIES: CHLOE BRUCE – MARTIAL ARTS EXPERT

  • Sep 15, 2011
  • Aaron Thomas
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    We caught up with Martial Arts expert and Guinness World Record Holder Chloe Bruce to see what she’s up to, and to talk all things Martial Arts – including starring on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent!

    Chloe Bruce Martial Arts Expert

    Hi Chloe, thanks for talking to us today. Tell us a bit about yourself…

    Hi, well my name is Chloe Bruce and I am 27 years old. I have been involved in Martial Arts for most of my life, and having trained for over 20 years – I love it and consider it a way of life. I have won various British, European & World Titles and I also hold the Guinness World Record for most amount of kicks in 1 minute. This stands at 212 kicks.

    That’s great! We love Guinness World Records and we have a Bungee Jumping World Record ourselves! So what have you been up to this year?

    This year has been amazing for me! I started off by winning the biggest Martial Arts tournament in Europe, called the Irish Open back in March, and then went on to working pretty much back-to-back on different projects. I cannot really talk too much about what I have been doing, but I have been involved in the stunt side of things working on two big Hollywood movies, which will be released next year. Another BIG part of this year that I have to say was an experience of a lifetime had to be Britain’s Got Talent, in which I took part alongside my sister, Grace Bruce. “Bruce Sistaz” went on to get through to the Live semi-final where the competition ended for us, but I will never forget that journey alongside Grace. It was just amazing.

    Sounds brilliant. So what do your competitions usually consist of?

    Our competitions are based on a kickboxing freestyle circuit. So, they are open tournaments whereby all different organisations & styles can enter. We have divisions for Forms / Katas and fighting. However, the categories that I enter are the Forms. I normally enter Traditional Forms, Musical Open Hand and Musical Weapons forms.

    Where did you learn? What made you start?

    I learnt at a school in Essex, and I started in Korean Tang Soo Do – (A very similar style to Tae Kwon Do). I started originally because of my Brother, Danny Bruce. He was already training and I went along to watch some of his classes and really wanted to give it a go. My parents obviously encouraged me also as they thought it would be useful for a girl to know a little self defence… little did we know at the time though that Martial Arts would end up to be such a great career for me!

    What will the rest of 2011 hold for you?

    I cannot be totally sure what the rest of this year has in store for me. With the industry I am in, jobs and opportunities always arise at the last minute, so I am thoroughly excited to see what’s in store. I have a lot of performances already booked in, and there are a lot of things that I want to achieve, so we will see. Watch this space…

    Chloe Bruce, Kill Bill Stunt SuitWhere would you say are the best areas in the UK to train for Xtreme Martial Arts? (Specialist area)

    There are very good instructors and schools within the Essex area, Sheffield, Cambridge, Manchester & Birmingham. If anyone wanted to get into the musical-forms side of things, then get in touch with me and I’d be more than happy to give further information to any of these schools – as they are all run by very experienced instructors / competitors that I have grown up with (within the Martial Arts World.)

    I’m guessing this has taken you all over the World in your career, where have been the best places that you’ve visited during your career?

    Wow… this is a tough question! First off, I have to say that I have been so fortunate and have visited some magnificent places. What started off as my hobby that I loved and still am so passionate about has turned into my job and career – and as you mentioned it has enabled me to, as such, travel the World and see so many amazing Countries. I have to say that a few of the most special to me so far are:

    India – I was performing on a tour and the experience was just out of this World. It makes you appreciate everything you have, the family you were brought into and to not take anything for granted. It was such an amazing Country.

    Australia – I was performing on the Top Gear Live Tour and we travelled to Australia. This was another amazing Country for me, as it is just beautiful! Unfortunately it took me a full 24 hours to get there, but once you are there – it is just incredible. I would definitely like to go back one day.

    What has been your best memory in Martial Arts?

    My best memory has to be the first time I won the World Championships. This was in 1996 at the WKA Worlds in Prague, Czech Republic. I was only around 14 years old and I was the under dog having never competed at the Worlds before, so I went out there with nothing to lose. I travelled out with my brother Danny and my parents – and seeing their faces when I won was just so over-whelming. My parents were in tears and I was just so happy!! Standing on the rostrum whilst the whole tournament was up on their feet listening to the British National Anthem was just a memory I will never forget!

    Fantastic! Have you ever been injured?

    Most of my injuries are pulled muscles, strained tendons, and that kind of thing…so nothing too serious. I have however broken my toe whilst doing a sweep before.

    What is your favourite move / trick / skill?

    My favourite kick has to be a roundhouse kick. Although my favourite skill / trick must be the Scorpion Kick, which is a kick I invented myself that attacks from behind the head.

    Have there been any big developments in the sport during your time, and do you see any coming in the future?

    If I am honest there hasn’t been that many developments within the sport during my time of competing. In fact, the standard of our competitions have gone down hill within Europe, purely because there are way too many politics and organisations all trying to fight against each other rather than work together. The individual talent has grown tremendously, however I think it is a shame that we don’t get the support that we need within our sport.

    Chloe Bruce, Martial Arts & PerformerWhat tips would you advise for people looking to get started? How did you begin and how did your training progress?

    If you are interested in Martial Arts, go and test a few different styles and see what you find suits you best, or which you find more interesting. Everyone has their own preferences. Whether it be Kickboxing, Forms, Karate, Wushu… etc. Just go to a few classes and you will progress from there. Set yourself a goal, try to reach your black belt and make sure you achieve your splits… but its a lot better and more satisfying to grow within a certain sport if you have goals and targets to reach.

    What equipment do you use?

    I am very fortunate now to be sponsored by Martial arts brands Kwon and also Maximuscle. So if I need any products then I am pretty much covered by either one of those!

    How can people follow your career or come to watch you at tournaments or performances?

    People can add and follow me on my social networking sites at the following:

    Twitter: CHLOEBRUCE_
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/officialCHLOEBRUCE
    Website: www.chloebruce.co.uk

    Chloe Bruce, Martial Arts Expert

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