Scott Edward Adkins was born in Sutton Coldfield, a town withinBirmingham, Englandon 17 June 1976 into a family of butchers. He first became interested in martial arts at the age of ten, when he visited a localJudoclub with his father and older brother. After being robbed at age 13, his interest in martial arts grew even more. That same year, he began to practiseTaekwondo. Since the age of 16, Scott also started to practiseKickboxingwith Anthony Jones, eventually becoming a kickboxing instructor for theProfessional Karate Association. He ran classes at the Fitness First at Bearwood, Smethwick once a week. He has also gained experience inNinjutsu,Krav Maga Karate Wushu,Aikido Jujutsu,MMA,CapoeiraandGymnastics.
Jason Statham was born on 26 July 1967 in Shirebrook, Derbyshire, the son of dancer Eileen (née Yates) and street seller Barry Statham. His father also worked odd jobs as a house painter, coal miner, and singer in theCanary Islands. Statham moved toGreat Yarmouth, Norfolk, where he initially chose not to follow his father’s career working the local market stalls, instead practisingmartial arts. He grew up with football playerVinnie Jones, alongside whom he would later act. Jones introduced him tofootball, and Statham went on to play for the localgrammar school(1978–1983), which he had attended since age 11, a passion that he shared withdiving. He practised daily in perfecting his diving techniques, and was a member of Britain’sNational Swimming Squad for 12 years.