Christine Bannon-Rodrigues is an American martial artist, actress, stunt person, and choreographer. A student of Don Rodrigues, Bannon-Rodrigues is a 9th degree black belt, she holds 9 World Championships, including consecutive 3-time World Titles at the W.A.K.O. Games.
Bannon-Rodrigues has acted for both film and television, including the feature films Sci-Fighter (aka X-Treme Fighter) and 27 Dresses. Her stunt work can be seen in a number of Hollywood productions, including Underdog, Batman and Robin, and The Next Karate Kid. Christine has appeared on television in WMAC Masters, and Mortal Kombat Annihilation.
In 2012 Christine did the martial arts choreography for the film Champions of the Deep (2012). Christine teaches at the Don Rodrigues Karate Academy, where she is a co-owner with Shihan Don Rodrigues.
When Christine Bannon Rodrigues first bowed in she was 13 years old. At the time the Rhode Island teenager never realized that she would one-day reign supreme as one of the super stars in the world of martial arts. Christine studied Kenpo and Wu shu, earning her black belt at age 17. She quickly became the person to beat in fighting, forms and weapons. A formidable competitor Christine was a triple threat wherever she went. Her skill as a fighter was proven time and time again, and in forms and weapons Christine was unstoppable.
In 1991 Christine astounded the martial arts world by becoming a Triple Crown winner at the WAKO World Championships in England. “I won three gold medals in forms, fighting and weapons,” Christine recalled. “Everyone thought it was a freak occurrence and that I was just lucky. That got me worked up so I decided to prove my critics wrong, so in 1993 I did it again.”
After winning her second Triple Crown she turned her talents and efforts into becoming a TV and movie star. Martial arts legend and action choreographer Pat Johnson hired Christine to double the star in “The Next Karate Kid.” This led to roles in Mortal Kombat, WMAC Masters where she starred as “Lady Lightning and she stunt doubled Alicia Silverstone (Batgirl) in “Batman and Robin.”
Christine has also been featured on the cover of every major martial arts magazine in the world and she has written and starred in more than seven instructional videotapes. She is also the darling of the trading card set, being featured in the 1992 John Paul Mitchell National Karate Team Premier edition, Karate Kards, Sport Karate Champions, Martial Arts Masters Trading Cards, Premier Edition and the International Card Collection of Athletes medallion collection.
With an eye on the future, Christine says that the Black Belt Registry will be of great benefit to all martial artists, “The access it gives us (martial artists) access to everything from training tapes to gear and so much more it is amazing,” she says. “One of the things I use it for is finding authentic Chinese weapons. The Internet and the WorldBlackBelt.com is going to take martial arts to its next level.”
Films by Christine Bannon-Rodrigues
| Year | Film/Television | Role |
| 1994 | The Next Karate Kid Stunt Double | Hilary Swank |
| 1996 | WMAC Masters | Lady Lightning |
| 2004 | Sci-Fighter | Virus |
| 2012 | Champions of the Deep | Choreographer |
Championships and Accomplishments of Christine Bannon-Rodrigues
- 1999 W.A.K.O. Pro World Champion Women’s Lightweight Fighting
- 1995 W.A.K.O. Pro World Champion Women’s Lightweight Fighting
- 1993 W.A.K.O. World Champion Women’s Lightweight Fighting
- 1993 W.A.K.O. World Champion Women’s Soft Style Forms
- 1993 W.A.K.O. World Champion Women’s Weapons
- 1991 W.A.K.O. World Champion Women’s Lightweight Fighting
- 1991 W.A.K.O. World Champion Women’s Soft Style Forms
- 1991 W.A.K.O. World Champion Women’s Weapons
- 1990 W.A.K.O. World Champion Women’s Forms
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Christine Bannon-Rodrigues is an exceptionally talented and accomplished martial artist, she is winner of nine World Championships. She is also an actress, stunt person and choreographer in films. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You were 13 years of age when you started practicing martial art, you also studied Kenpo and Wu shu earning the black belt at age of 17 years. You reached the pinnacle of success on becoming in 1991 the Triple Crown winner at the WAKO World Championships in England. At present you are a martial artist,. What factors you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?
Ms. Christine Bannon-Rodrigues:
The factors that helped me achieve winning 3 Gold medals in the WAKO World Championships in 1991 and 1993, were the goal settings that I learnt thru the Martial Arts. Even as a beginner, we earned stripes on our belts, signifying getting closer to our next belt. I was taught through the Martial Arts and by my instructor (and later on, my husband) to set small, short term goals that build and lead up to a long term, larger goal.
As a competitor, I set being a New England Champion as my first goal. After achieving that, I set out to become a National Champion and after several years, I achieved that. Then I competed at my first World Championships in Venice, Italy and won one Gold medal in Forms and a Bronze in Fighting. I set a goal not to just go back and win another World title, but to win 3; one in Forms, one in Fighting and one in Weapons competition, which had never been done by a male or female. I achieved that in London, England in 91 and then repeated it in 93 in USA. To this date, I still hold that World record with WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organizations). After that, I wanted to set new goals for myself. I set goals with being an instructor and coach, with becoming a stuntwoman, and also as a product designer for Macho Products (designing new safety equipment, uniforms, etc. for Martial Artists).
I think almost any Martial Artist you speak to, will tell you that after achieving and earning a Black Belt, they feel nothing is impossible! It definitely teaches you that you can achieve anything that you put your mind to.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have acted for both film and television, including the feature films Sci-Fighter (aka X-Treme Fighter) and 27 Dresses. Elaborate your experience of acting in films and television?
Ms. Christine Bannon-Rodrigues:
Performing my Martial Arts as a demonstration, competition, or as a stuntwoman, I can easily do in front of thousands of people. Of course I may get a little nervous, but I am extremely confident with my MA skills. As a pretty shy woman, acting is quite a challenge for me, but one that I enjoy. Acting on the Fox TV series WMAC Masters and in the movie Sci-Fighter, I was fortunate to be working with some great friends on the set which made me feel very comfortable.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You won the W.A.K.O. World Championships 1993 −55 kg/122 lb semi-contact kickboxing gold medal. Tell us about this winning fight and how did you feel on the winning the World Championship?
Ms. Christine Bannon-Rodrigues:
Well I broke a record winning 3 Golds at the previous World Championship. At the 93 Worlds, I had already won 2 Golds and Fighting was the last competition for me. I really wanted to repeat winning 3 Golds and to prove the Presidents of WAKO from some of the other countries wrong, when they said what I accomplished was a fluke and couldn’t be repeated. This World Championships was held in the USA, so I had a few students that traveled to see me compete, unlike the other times.
Fighting for my Gold medal I was behind 3-4 after the first round against the German fighter. I had to return to the 2nd round determined to take the lead and not get frustrated. I ended up winning the fight 7-6. It put a perfect ending on that World Championships!
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?
Ms. Christine Bannon-Rodrigues:
Well when I was completing my routine was quite different than it is now. As a Martial Artist and instructor I practice my Self Defense techniques, Forms, Weapons and Sparring weekly. I also teach a Kickboxing program 6 days a week. In this class I do all the strengthening exercises with the class. I try to spar a couple times a week to stay up on my game.
For stomach, I like the Russian twists (feet off the floor, leaning back and touching both hands on the floor on your right side then the left, twisting quickly). Pushups I change up everyday; standard push ups, diamond position, one handed, wide pushups, walk across the room doing pushups, etc. Ladder drills are great for my speed and footwork in the ring. I think the most important part on training is to change it up. Your body gets used to doing the same exercises so its important to change it constantly to push your muscles to their max.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Christine Bannon-Rodrigues:
I try to eat as healthy as possible. I’m not on a strict diet. I’m fortunate that I can splurge and enjoy a delicious dessert once in awhile and not have to worry too much because of my high activity level.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding mixed martial artist girls who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in field of women mixed martial art and other style of professional fighting?
Ms. Christine Bannon-Rodrigues:
Starting the Martial Arts in 1980, there were not a lot of women; therefore, I fought many males in the classroom. I honestly believe that made me what I am today. If I could spar with a 280 lb., 6′ + male, then no female I was going to face was going to intimidate or scare me! Now that so many females are involved in various aspects of the Martial Arts, its much easier to have women train with women, but I highly recommend working with men and also working with a variety of women, different weights and heights.
Climbing the ladder to the top can have its fun times, and it can have its very difficult moments. I would get discouraged with politics in competition. My instructor would just tell me don’t end up in a tied match in overtime, and leave it in the judges hand. Annihilate your opponent so there is no doubt who the winner is! There are politics in all types of competition; but to be a champion, just train to be so much better than the others and politics will not matter.
Christine Bannon-Rodrigues on WomenFitness: There are some great articles here on Womenfitness.net that will help motivate you and will give you some great ideas on new things to try! Change it up for the best results from your body.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have been Stunts & Fight choreographer in a number of Hollywood productions namely Underdog, Batman and Robin, The Next Karate Kid and Champions of the Deep. Tell us about this experience of yours?
Ms. Christine Bannon-Rodrigues:
I was very fortunate to be asked by the stunt coordinator of the Karate Kid IV, Pat Johnson, if I would be interested in doubling for Hillary Swank.
This was my first introduction to working on a movie set and I loved it! As a stunt double, your job is to make the person you are doubling look the best with your skills. Having an exciting fight scene is much fun! I was later asked to double Alicia Silverstone in Batman & Robin. Working on Underdog doing stunts was quite different for me, because it was my first time working on a movie doing stunts that did not include fighting. I drove cars, did a fall and various other stunts.
In Champions of the Deep, I was the fight choreographer, which meant I was working behind the camera instead of in front of the camera! I helped created the fight scenes that some great Martial Art kids performed in front of the camera. It was a new challenge for me.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about your endeavour of “Don Rodrigues Karate Academy”?
Ms. Christine Bannon-Rodrigues:
I began teaching in 1985. I ran my own commercial school and my husband had a private school. In 1990 we joined the schools and kept one location. When I was competing, it was very helpful that I could also train at my job! Once I began teaching though, I saw how the Martial Arts can really transform people, especially our youth. Some of them I have worked with since age 3 thru adulthood. I see all types, kids with zero self confidence, extremely shy, etc. that come out of their shell thru the Martial Arts, become confident and it changes their lives.
I also see the other end of the rainbow with kids that are disciplinary problems and are just headed in the wrong direction. The Martial Arts teaches them that fighting is bad unless to protect someone. We teach them how important school is; in our school they cannot test for a new belt unless their teachers say they are passing and behaving, as well as their parents signing off to this. It’s an amazing feeling to see how we impact so many people’s lives. It’s a very rewarding job. And then when some of your students want to become champions competitively as well, then that’s even more exciting! Creating Champions both in and out of the ring is a job I would never give up!
I am pretty excited to attend the Jr. WAKO World Championships in Rimini, Italy as an assistant coach. Both of my sons have represented the USA and competed there! My oldest son won a Gold medal (and Bronze)!! We always say, “A family that kicks together, sticks together”.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influencer and motivator in your success in the field of your career in competitive women martial art fighting?
Ms. Christine Bannon-Rodrigues:
I would have to say my husband and instructor, Don Rodrigues, is the person that has motivated and pushed me to reach my highest potential.
He always pushed me beyond the level I thought I could go. He never “sugar coated” anything either. I remember winning fights and people coming over and congratulating me or saying good job and he would say don’t listen to them, you fought awful today. No one should score on you or you should never have a match that close! He would definitely give me the pat on the back if I deserved it though.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Christine Bannon-Rodrigues:
I would like to tell all women out there that fitness is very important! Its important for your health and as you get older, it will keep you looking young! Exercise shouldn’t be something you dread doing every day. Pick a sport or exercise regimen that you enjoy and then it becomes something you look forward to everyday. There are some great articles here on Womenfitness.net that will help motivate you and will give you some great ideas on new things to try! Change it up for the best results from your body.
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Women Fitness Team thanks Christine Bannon-Rodrigues for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and made this interview happen.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Finess and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.