Jean-Claude Van Damme played the role of Frank Dux in the 1988 movie Bloodsport. The action drama was released on 26 February 1988, and the actor played the role of Frank Dux, the Canadian-American martial artist and fight choreographer.
When Syrian fighters Sadiq Hossein and Frank Dux enter the ring to fight, it is one of the most memorable fight scenes in the film. Bernard Mariano agreed to do the part of Sadiq Hossein but was hurt by Damme while the fight scene was being filmed.
Bernard Mariano got seven stitches during the filming of Bloodsport
Sadiq Hossein’s character marked a turning point in Mariano’s life. The movie’s main attraction undoubtedly was Jean-Claude Van Damme, but the Filipino-descent actor also attracted the attention of many viewers. One of the producers noticed him in Wan Chai, Hong Kong when he was working out at a gym and was in great shape. This acting gig was merely an additional way for Mariano to increase his income. The Hong Kong-born actor was leading a simple life before he decided to take this acting job. He was studying English Literature and History at the University of Hong Kong. He needed money to pay for his education and therefore he said yes to the film Bloodsport. The Bloodsport actor is now a famous magician and a teacher.
During the filming of one of the fight scenes, the magician was badly injured. As per reports, Van Damme had injured Mariano during the fight scene. The 62-year-old actor knocked out the Hong-Kong-born actor with his elbow. During an interview, Mariano stated that he got seven stitches after he was hit by the Lionheart star.
Bernard Mariano passed out after he was hit by Jean-Claude Van Damme
Mariano recalled how badly injured he was when Van Damme knocked him out. The scene was actually used by the makers as it came out really well. The Literature graduate remembered he went unconscious after the scene. While talking about the scene, Mariano said,
“When we choreographed it, I tapped him on the shoulder and he would hit me with an elbow and I would fall back. We practiced it and it worked. But when we rolled the first take, he moved too fast. My hand was resting on his shoulder and at that moment, he was already moving back and caught me full on the jaw and split my lip.”
He further added,
“I passed out and was taken to hospital and stitched up. I was paid HK$1,000 for each stitch. I said ‘hit me on the other side so I can go on holiday’”
The Filipino-descent actor claimed that the blood which is seen in the movie is his real blood. He further stated that there was a lot of blood as he was badly injured. Mariano also said the lead actor was too fast for him and for the other actors, as he was a trained martial artist.
Source: Sport Hong Kong
