Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
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Brazilian jiu-jitsu emphasizes ground fighting, most Brazilian jiu-jitsu stylists want to take the fight to the ground, as opposed to the stand-up fighting of other fighting arts. Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners believe that most fights end up on the ground, so you'd might as well learn the most effective ground fighting techniques available. Brazilian jiu-jitsu really caught on with the advent of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993. The UFC, promoted by the Helio Gracie clan, was billed as the first tournament to pit practitioners of various martial arts against each other in an almost-no-holds-barred setting. The fact that Helio's son Royce won three of the first four tournaments using his family's brand of jiu-jitsu certainly cemented Brazilian jiu-jitsu as an art demanding serious consideration. |
The introduction of jiu-jitsu to Brazil is largely credited to one Mitsuyo Maeda, who immigrated to Brazil in the 1920's and taught jiu-jitsu to Carlos Gracie (see tribute below) of Rio de Janeiro. The large number of Japanese immigrants to South America ensured that traditional Japanese martial arts, including ju-jitsu, would find a home in Latin America. However, Brazilian jiu-jitsu evolved into its own distinct style, incorporating techniques honed in the rough favelas (shantytowns) of the big cities.
In Honor of the Gracie Family Wednesday, 28 April 2010 06:34 |  Written by Administrator |  |  | 
Carlos and Helio took the art of jiu-jitsu and changed it from its formal Japanese style and turned it into an art that could win street fights common in Brazil. The Gracie brothers turned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into the best ground fighting system ever created. This is an exciting time for the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in America. As an American with dual citizenship, I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu heritage. As we look to the future it is important to remember those who dedicated their lives to the art of jiu-jitsu. In honor of Carlos Gracie and his family, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your contribution to the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is the Gracie family who has made the biggest impact in the martial arts world today. Rommel Dunbar Last Updated (Sunday, 25 July 2010 09:31) |
It is with great honor to recognize the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Carlos Gracie Sr. who began his training with Japanese Master Court Koma when he was 15 years old and trained with him until he was 21 years of age. Carlos' sacrifice, dedication and perseverance is what made jiu-jitsu an art that would be shared with his brother Helio and passed down from one generation to another.
Some of the differences are relatively minor, such as the division between youth and adult belts and the stripe/degree system. Others are quite distinct and have become synonymous with the art, such as a marked informality in promotional criteria, including a focus on a competitive demonstration of skill, and a conservative approach to promotion in general.