Jiu-Jitsu Championships

By Rangiku Kuchiki


The art was brought to Brazil by Mitsuyo Maeda (1878-1941), a student of Kodokan Judo with a history of challenging and interacting with other combat arts. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is known as more than just a system of fighting. Since its inception in 1914, its parent art of judo was separated from older systems of Japanese jujutsu by an important difference that was passed on to BJJ: it is not solely a martial art: it is also a sport; a method for promoting physical fitness and building character in young people. Over the course of nearly a century, the grappling art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has proven to be one of the most effective techniques in all of combat sports. That was never more apparent than when the Ultimate Fighting Championship was formed in 1993 and Royce Gracie dominated the competition, despite being one of the smallest participants in the field.

Characteristics: Jiu Jitsu is an art based in ground fighting. Along with this, it teaches take-downs, takedown defense, ground control, and especially submissions. Submissions refer to holds that either cut off an opponent's air supply (chokes) or look to take advantage of a joint (such as arm bars). There are many different styles of Jujitsu that exist around the world, and many different ways to actually spell the name. The original spelling derived directly from the Japanese was Jujitsu.

As the popularity and practice of this martial art spread across Europe, the spelling and pronunciation was forced to change. This occurred during World War II, when the name Jujitsu had to be changed to Jiu-jitsu. This name-change occurred because the Germans occupying the area at the time claimed that the name resembled the word "Jew".

Training methods include technique drills in which techniques are practiced against a non-resisting partner; isolation sparring, commonly referred to as positional drilling, where only a certain technique or sets of techniques are used, and full sparring in which each opponent tries to submit their opponent using any legal technique. Jiu-Jitsu focuses on submissions without the use of strikes. While in training it allows the practitioners to practice with full speed and full power, resembling the effort used in a real competition.

The other side of Jiu Jitsu is called Self Defense Jiu Jitsu, where the focus is mainly self protection of encounters that might happen in the street. The early days of Jiu Jitsu were held in the highest regards because of its effectiveness in ending a fight quickly.




About the Author: