The Martial Arts History Museum will honor legendary World Champion and stunt double Christine Bannon-Rodrigues during a special weekend celebration from November 14-16, 2025. The main event will be an Honor Day on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 4-6 PM at the Museum, celebrating her extraordinary career as a world champion, stunt performer, and pioneer in martial arts competition. Bannon-Rodrigues is a nine-time World Champion in karate and weapons forms who has inspired generations of martial artists worldwide. Her groundbreaking achievements include being the first person to win three gold medals at a single World Games.
Beyond competition, she has showcased her skills in film, television, and live performances, beginning her stunt career by doubling Hilary Swank in 1994's "The Next Karate Kid" and later playing the main villain in the 2005 film "Sci-Fighter" starring Cynthia Rothrock. Museum Representative Jerome Maida confirmed the event will feature a presentation examining Bannon-Rodrigues's life, opportunities for fans to meet her, and her induction into the Museum's Hall of Fame. The weekend celebration extends beyond the Honor Day with additional programming including a screening of 2004's "Sci-Fighter" on Friday, November 14, from 4-6 PM and a screening of 1994's "The Next Karate Kid" on Sunday, November 16, 2025, from 1-3 PM.
Bannon-Rodrigues will participate in question-and-answer sessions following each film screening. Admission for each day is $20 for adults and $5 for children. The Martial Arts History Museum is located at 201 N. Brand Blvd., Suite B100, in Glendale, CA. This celebration recognizes Bannon-Rodrigues's contributions to bringing martial arts to mainstream audiences through both competitive achievements and film work that introduced martial arts to wider viewership. Her career represents a significant bridge between competitive martial arts and popular entertainment, demonstrating how athletic excellence can translate to cultural influence.
The honor carries particular significance as it acknowledges how Bannon-Rodrigues's work helped normalize martial arts in Western media at a time when female martial artists received limited recognition. Her transition from world champion to film performer created new pathways for martial artists seeking careers beyond competition. The museum's recognition serves as institutional validation of martial arts as both sport and art form worthy of historical preservation. By celebrating Bannon-Rodrigues's dual legacy in competition and entertainment, the event highlights martial arts' evolving cultural status and its journey from niche practice to mainstream acceptance.
The celebration's timing in 2025 allows for reflection on three decades of Bannon-Rodrigues's influence since her film debut in 1994. The museum's decision to honor her now underscores how her early achievements paved the way for current generations of martial artists in both competitive and entertainment spheres. This event matters because it preserves and promotes the history of martial arts through one of its most accomplished ambassadors, ensuring that pioneering figures receive proper recognition for expanding the art's reach and appeal. The celebration demonstrates how individual excellence can elevate an entire discipline's visibility and cultural standing.
