JCVD Kickboxer promotional photo

During the "golden age" of martial arts film Jean-Claude Van Damme was right in the middle of it, with his films Bloodsport and Kickboxer maybe being the biggest two right when the genre was at its peak.

Here is a promotional photo from Kickboxer showing Van Damme at his best, kicking like no one else could.

Sure, some of his films have some cheesy moments, but those just add to the charm of the films from that era. 

If you don't have your own copies of Bloodsport and Kickboxer you are missing out. Order them as soon as you can and get ready for some martial art cinema mastery. 

Artwork by Christian Francone

 

Some more fan made Bloodsport artwork

The Kokuryukai presents

Bloodsport slot machine

10 Gut-Punching Facts About 'Bloodsport' on Its 30th Anniversary

Bow before Jean-Claude Van Damme's martial-arts masterpiece.

(by Adam K. Raymond maxim.com 2-27-18)

The year was 1988. Jean-Claude Van Damme was a little known martial artist trying to make the transition to acting, and after bit parts in B-movies, a starring role finally landed in his lap.

It was in the corny-yet-compelling action flick Bloodsport, which was made on a $2 million budget and went on to make more than $50 million at the worldwide box office before becoming a bona fide VHS hit.

Thirty years later, Bloodspot is still a part of the pop culture zeitgeist, and not just because it launched Van Damme into stardom. Bloodsport also gave us the fight tournament subgenre of action movies and mades millions of American boys learn to do the splits.

But you already knew all that. Here are 10 things you might not have known.

https://www.maxim.com/entertainment/10-bloodsport-facts-30th-anniversary-2018-2

Bloodsport collage

 

No holds barred

One of the better scenes from Bloodsport

I've always liked this scene from Bloodsport. Not so much because of Van Damme's training but because it gives you a good view of the harbor. And if you look close enough you can see an airliner taking off from the old Hong Kong airport.

1988 Kumite

Van Damme's famous splits