Born: 1957 (Wilmington, Delaware)
Biography:
Cynthia Ann Christine Rothrock, born on March 8, 1957, in Wilmington, Delaware, is an American martial artist and actress known for her roles in martial arts films. Growing up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Rothrock began taking martial arts lessons at the age of 13. Her journey into the world of martial arts would eventually lead her to become a high-level competitor before transitioning into acting.
Rothrock’s martial arts prowess led her to become a World Champion in forms and weapons five times between 1981 and 1985. These categories focused on fluidity of movement rather than combat, and they allowed both sexes to compete. In her first 38 tournaments, she secured first place in forms 32 times and first place in weapons 12 times. Remarkably, she even competed in Men’s Forms events, as there was no separate Women’s Division at the time. Additionally, she achieved the title of Grand Master in five tournaments and emerged victorious in 4 out of 5 fighting events.
With an impressive array of black belts and sashes, Rothrock is skilled in various Far Eastern martial disciplines. Her expertise extends to Tang Soo Do, Taekwondo, Eagle Claw, Wushu, Northern Shaolin, Ng Ying Kungfu, and Pai Lum White Dragon Kung Fu. Her dedication to martial arts led to her receiving a 6th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan in 2006. Grand Master Robert Kovaleski, 9th Dan and chair of the I.T.M.A., tested her for this belt, and later promoted her to 7th and 8th-degree black belts in 2011 and 2015, respectively. Rothrock is not only a highly skilled martial artist but also an instructor, imparting her knowledge to others. Her preferred weapon of choice is the hook sword.
Rothrock’s exceptional contributions to the martial arts community were recognized in 1983 when she was inducted into the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame as Female Competitor of the Year. She achieved another milestone in the industry, becoming the first woman to grace the cover of a martial arts magazine. In 1986, she co-authored a book titled Advanced Dynamic Kicks with George Chung.
In her acting career, Rothrock made her debut in martial arts movies in 1985 as a part of Golden Harvest’s Yes, Madam (also known as Police Assassins or In the Line of Duty Part 2), alongside Michelle Yeoh. The film was a box office success and marked the beginning of a fruitful partnership with Golden Harvest. Rothrock continued to showcase her martial arts skills in Hong Kong until 1988, starring in a total of seven films during her time there.
Beyond her success in martial arts films, Rothrock also left a lasting impact on women’s history in the male-dominated world of martial arts. Her achievements and contributions shattered gender barriers, inspiring countless women to pursue martial arts and follow their passions. Rothrock proved that dedication, skill, and determination know no boundaries, paving the way for future generations of female martial artists.
Awards:
– 1983: Inducted into the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame as Female Competitor of the Year
– 2014: Legacy Award at the Urban Action Showcase & Expo at HBO