History of Jiu-Jitsu
Jiu-Jitsu is the eldest of all martial arts; and therefore the origins are controversial. There are
many opinions as to the birthplace of Jiu-Jitsu, but despite that, all agree that by some means
Jiu-Jitsu established a home in Japan, and later Brazil.
A widely accepted theory is that Jiu-Jitsu was created in India, developed by the Buddhist Monks as early as 300 BC. Jiu-Jitsu was later introduced to China, along with Buddhism, where it soon after traveled to Japan, although the exact time its entrance is unknown.
In Feudal Japan, the Samurais utilized Jiu-Jitsu on the battlefield; but after the end of Feudalism and the loss of the Samurai class, Jiu-Jitsu was no longer need as a means of combat. This is where Judo branched off from Jiu-Jitsu, and became a separate and independent martial art. With the rise of Judo, Jiu-Jitsu fell out of favor, although no longer taught in the mainstream martial arts academies, some would stay faithful and the art was not lost.
Jiu-Jitsu introduced to Brazil in the 1920’s, by Esai Maeda, also known as Conde Koma, a friend of Gastao Gracie. Conde Koma taught Jiu-Jitsu to Gastao’s son, Carlos Gracie, who later taught his brothers. In 1925 the Gracie brothers opened their first school, exposed Jiu-Jitsu to the public. As the years passed, Jiu-Jitsu was modified into the superior style of that is known now as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From the introduction and into the present, Brazil has become the world’s keeper of this precious art.
Now that Jiu-Jitsu has made its way to America, it is duty of the Federation to keep the art pure, and now allow Jiu-Jitsu to become watered down, like so many martial arts as they grow in popularity. One way to fortify the future of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in America is to grow and standardize the sport.
GOALS OF THE FEDERATION
• Stimulate the growth of Jiu-Jitsu as a sport
• Provide Jiu-Jitsu with a secure future here in South Florida and throughout the United States
• Provide continued education to Professors, Instructors and Referees
• Support the proven belt ranking, as used in Brazil
• Enlighten competitors to the traditional rules
• Expose and prepare athletes for international events
Since Jiu-Jitsu is not only a sport, but also self-defense, there are non-valid moves that are illegal in competition. Although competitions are the lifeline of the sport, a victory gained at any cost will not be granted; fair play must be the main objective. Moves that are considered to be illegal are: hair pulling, sticking fingers in the eyes, nose or mouth of one’s opponent, striking the opponents genitalia, finger twisting, and any move that gains unfair advantage by the use of one’s fists, feet, elbows or head.
The sport of Jiu-Jitsu brings out a competitive side where athletes can demonstrate their physical and psychological conditioning, technique, and abilities, all with the ultimate objective of rendering his opponent into submission. As all fights begin standing up, the first goal of Jiu-Jitsu is to knock down one’s opponent by use of a takedown. The fundamental ground moves are those that neutralize, immobilize, choke or apply pressure or twisting any of kind to the body’s joints.
Ethical behavior gives Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu security and standing in the international world of sports. The standing of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has changed from only being seen as a combat sport into being recognized as a spectator sport. The way Jiu-Jitsu gained credibility as a sport in Brazil was through the use a regulating government; in having the method previously tried and tested, all we must do now is simply implement the same structure here in America.
A future goal of the Federation is to have Jiu-Jitsu acknowledged by the Olympics. The only way to achieve this goal is to focus on maintaining Jiu-Jitsu as a viable modern sport, with standardized rules and regulations utilized and acknowledged worldwide.
Regulations reinforce the sport’s charter by governing all those involved: athletes, coaches, teachers, directors, and even the assisting public; we have the responsibility to implement and employ the following regulations, and only by doing so we will be to secure Jiu-Jitsu a place on the Olympic stage.