Action star Jean-Claude Van Damme has always had one leg up on his contemporaries Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, and that’s his uncanny ability to do a split anywhere, anytime (OK, maybe that’s two legs up). The split is Van Damme’s signature move, and with CHARGE! celebrating the works of the Muscles from Brussels all July, it got us thinking: What’s Van Damme’s best split?
We’ve ranked the martial artist and actor’s most impressive leg-stretchers below, so take a look and see which of his flexible moves takes our top spot!
9. Double Kick Split – Kickboxer
Not only does Van Damme bust out a couple of splits while dancing with some ladies, he later drops into a split to punch a guy after being attacked. But the coup de grâce occurs when he takes out two attackers simultaneously via a jumping split kick.
8. Knife-Throwing Split – Black Eagle
You know what’s more impressive than doing a split? Practicing your knife-throwing on a boat while doing a split.
7. Ring Split – No Retreat, No Surrender
If there’s a better way to gloat during a kickboxing match than by doing a split on the ropes and crossing your arms, we’ve yet to see it.
6. Car Split – Pound of Flesh
Van Damme’s heyday may have been in the late ’80s and early ’90s, but the guy is still making movies — and still doing splits. In this 2015 film, he performs his signature move while clinging to the side of a moving car.
5. ’80s Seduction Split – Double Impact
In what just may be the most ’80s movie scene of all time, JCVD shows off in front of a gaggle of female aerobics enthusiasts while sporting some sweet spandex (this split brought to you by big legs and karate).
4. Incognito Assassin Split – Cyborg
Why just shoot the bad guy when you can hide above him while doing a split between two walls and then stab him?
3. Kitchen Counter Split – Timecop
In one of the greatest dodges in cinematic history, Van Damme leaps onto his kitchen counter in the coolest way possible (don’t try this at home).
2. Truck Split – Volvo Commercial
While first believed to be CGI, it was soon revealed that Van Damme performed this dangerous and impressive stunt for real. Now that truly is the most epic of splits, except for…
1. Groin Punch Split – Bloodsport
Come on, how could this not be number one? This killer move would go on to become the signature move of Johnny Cage in the Mortal Kombat series, but Van Damme will always be its originator.
Can’t get enough of Van Damme’s splits? You can see him in action all month long on CHARGE! with our Van Damme Double Features, starring Double Impact and Death Warrant. Check out our schedule here for all times to watch!
