BJJ history
The History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Japan to Brazil and Beyond
The history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Untold Story) is a video narrated by professor Gustavo Gasperin, BJJ Black Belt under Fabricio Werdum, click HERE to watch the video or carry on reading, below
Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and sport that focuses on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds. It is practiced by millions of people around the world for physical fitness, self-defence, mental health, and personal development. It is also a major component of mixed martial arts (MMA), where it has proven to be essential for grappling and submission skills.
But how did BJJ come to be? What are its origins and evolution? And who are the main figures and pioneers that shaped its history? In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating story of how a Japanese martial art became a Brazilian national treasure and a global phenomenon.
The Origins of BJJ: Mitsuyo Maeda and the Gracie Family
The roots of BJJ can be traced back to Japan in the late 19th century, where Jigoro Kano founded judo as a modernised version of the ancient samurai art of jiujitsu. Judo emphasised throwing, pinning, and choking techniques, as well as ground fighting (ne-waza), which was developed by some of Kano's students who specialised in kosen judo, a style of judo that focused on groundwork.
One of these students was Mitsuyo Maeda, who became one of the most famous and successful judoka of his time. Maeda travelled around the world to demonstrate and spread his art, accepting challenges from wrestlers, boxers, and other martial artists. He arrived in Brazil in 1914, where he met Gastão Gracie, a businessman who became his friend and patron.
Gastão's son Carlos Gracie was fascinated by Maeda's skills and asked him to teach him judo. Maeda agreed and took Carlos as his first student in Brazil. Carlos then taught his brothers Oswaldo, Gastão Jr., George, and Hélio, who became known as the Gracie brothers. They opened their own academy in Rio de Janeiro and began to modify and adapt judo to their own needs and preferences.
The Gracie brothers developed their own style of self-defence, which they called Gracie jiu-jitsu or Brazilian jiu-jitsu. They emphasized leverage, technique, and submissions over strength and size, which allowed them to defeat larger and stronger opponents. They also challenged anyone who doubted their effectiveness to no-holds-barred fights (vale tudo), where they proved their superiority over other martial arts.
The Evolution of BJJ: The Gracie Challenge and Beyond
The Gracie family became famous for their fighting prowess and their willingness to test themselves against anyone. They issued an open invitation to anyone who wanted to challenge them, known as the Gracie Challenge. They fought in public events, private matches, newspapers ads, radio shows, and even on the streets. They faced opponents from various disciplines such as boxing, wrestling, capoeira, karate, savate, muay thai, and more.
The Gracie Challenge was not only a way to promote BJJ but also a way to improve it. The Gracies learned from their victories and defeats, incorporating new techniques and strategies into their arsenal. They also developed different styles within BJJ according to their personalities and preferences.
The Gracies also taught BJJ to many other students who became influential in their own right. Luiz França and Oswaldo Fadda, were two who learned from Maeda's other students and taught BJJ to lower-class communities in Rio de Janeiro. Helio Vigio, Pedro Hemeterio, João Alberto Barreto Sr. & Waldemar Santana Sr. were some of the first vale tudo fighters trained by the Gracies. Armando Wriedt Sr., Robson Gracie Sr., Reyson Gracie Sr., Renato Paquet Sr., Alvaro Barreto Sr. & João Alberto Barreto Sr. were among the first BJJ black belts awarded by the Gracies. Carlson Gracie Jr., Carley Gracie Sr., Rolls Gracie Jr., Rorion Gracie Sr., Relson Gracie Sr., Rickson Gracie Sr., Royler Gracie Sr. & Royce Gracie Sr., were second-generation Gracies who continued the family legacy.
BJJ continued to grow and spread throughout Brazil and beyond. In the 1980s and 1990s, BJJ reached a new level of popularity and recognition when some of its practitioners competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a new MMA promotion that pitted fighters from different martial arts against each other. Royce Gracie, the youngest son of Hélio, shocked the world by winning the first four UFC tournaments, defeating much bigger and stronger opponents with his BJJ skills. He showed that BJJ was not only a martial art but also a sport that could be practiced by anyone.
The Globalisation of BJJ: The International Scene and the Future
BJJ became a global phenomenon after the success of Royce Gracie and other BJJ fighters in the UFC and other MMA events. Many people wanted to learn BJJ and many BJJ instructors travelled to teach it around the world. Some of the most notable BJJ pioneers who helped spread BJJ internationally were Rorion Gracie, who moved to the United States in 1978 and founded the first Gracie Academy in Torrance, California. Rickson Gracie moved to the United States in 1989 and became one of the most respected and undefeated MMA fighters of all time. Carlos Gracie Jr. stayed in Brazil and founded the Gracie Barra academy in Rio de Janeiro. Fabio Gurgel, Romero "Jacare" Cavalcanti, Alexandre Paiva & Fernando "Terere" Augusto founded the Alliance team in 1993. Jorge "Macaco" Patino, Murilo Bustamante, Mario Sperry & Ricardo Liborio, founded the Brazilian Top Team (BTT) in 2000. Renzo Gracie, Ralph Gracie, Ryan Gracie & Rodrigo Gracie all moved to the United States in the 1990s and opened their own academies in New York, California and Florida. Royler Gracie, Saulo Ribeiro, Xande Ribeiro & Leonardo Vieira founded the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association (RJJA) in 2002. Vinicius "Draculino" Magalhães, Marcelo Garcia, Romulo Barral & Rafael Lovato Jr are some of the most decorated and influential BJJ competitors and instructors of their generation.
Today, BJJ is practiced by millions of people around the world. It has evolved into a complex and diverse martial art that offers many benefits for its practitioners. It has also become a sport that attracts many fans and spectators who enjoy watching its exciting matches and tournaments. BJJ is constantly evolving and adapting to new challenges and opportunities. It is a living art that reflects the creativity and passion of its practitioners.
Conclusion
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial art that has a rich and fascinating history. It started as a Japanese martial art that was modified and adapted by a Brazilian family who challenged themselves and others to prove its effectiveness. It then became a sport that showcased its skills and techniques on a global stage. It is now a phenomenon that inspires and empowers millions of people around the world.
If you want to learn more about BJJ or join its community, you can find many resources online or offline. You can watch videos, read books or articles, listen to podcasts or interviews, or visit websites or blogs about BJJ. You can also find a local academy or gym that offers BJJ classes or seminars for beginners or advanced students. You can also participate in online forums or social media groups where you can interact with other BJJ enthusiasts.
BJJ is more than just a martial art or a sport. It is a way of life that can help you improve yourself
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