What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Jiu-Jitsu means "The Gentle Art". It was the ancient martial art of the Japanese samurais many centuries ago. With the change of times, the samurais were no longer needed and left aside while their Jiu-Jitsu was forgotten. Master Jigoro Kano reshaped the art, emphasizing takedowns and immobilizations and turning it into the now popular sport of judo.
Pics: Master Jigoro Kano (left) and Master Maeda Koma (right).
Luckily in the early 1900s one Jiu-Jitsu master called Maeda Koma was sent to Brazil to lead a Japanese immigrant mission. After being helped by Brazilian diplomat Gastao Gracie, Koma decided to show his gratitude by teaching the art of Jiu-Jitsu to his sons. That’s when the legacy of the Gracie Family and the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu started.
Pics: Master Helio Gracie (left) and Master Carlos Gracie with brother Helio (right).
Carlos learned directly from the Japanese master and in 1925 opened the first Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro. With the help of his brothers George, Oswaldo, Gastao and Helio, he adapted the old Japanese techniques to real fight situations and developed new ones as well. Together they created a highly effective style of ground fighting based on leverage instead of power.
Pics: Gracie Family.
Proving Grounds
In order to prove that their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the most effective martial art in the world, over the past 70 years Grand Masters Carlos and Helio Gracie, their brothers, sons, nephews, grandsons and students have challenged and defeated much bigger opponents from all styles of fighting: boxing, karate, kung fu, judo, wrestling, muay-thai…
Pics: Helio Gracie (left) and Carlson Gracie (right) against Waldemar Santana.
Did you know? With Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, an average person can efficiently use leverage and technique to control and defeat a bigger, stronger opponent.
In the early 90s, the Gracies shocked the world when they used their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques on TV to reign supreme at famous Ultimate Fighting events in America and in Japan. Brothers Royce and Rickson Gracie were the pioneers of a new era: they used chokes and locks to submit all their opponents regardless of size or style. The world of martial arts would never be the same again.
Pics: Renzo Gracie applies a kneebar (left), Royce Gracie applies an omoplata (right).
Sport & Self-Defense
The Jiu-Jitsu developed by the Gracies was for self-defense purposes and real life situations. But it has also become a very popular competition sport. Every year the top BJJ fighters in the world go to the Mundial - the World Championship - in Rio de Janeiro to find out who is the best of the best. The tournament attracts thousands of spectators and is shown on TV. The International Federation, led by Master Carlos Gracie Jr., also promotes other major events like the Pan-American Championship in the United States and the European Championships, besides a number of big tournaments in Brazil.
Pics: BJJ Exhibition with Rickson Gracie (left), European Championship of BJJ (right).
The champions from the sport competitions eventually become big stars in Mixed Martial Arts and Vale-Tudo ("anything goes") shows around the globe. Famous names like Rickson and Renzo Gracie, Rodrigo Minotauro, Ze Mario Sperry, Ricardo Arona and Murilo Bustamante are all BJJ black belts with many sport titles on their records. Their mastering of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu made them some of the greatest fighters in the world. [Back to Top]
