Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that focuses on grappling, with an emphasis on ground fighting. The aim is to gain a dominant position and make an attacker ‘tap out’ as quickly as possible. It is based on a modified version of traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu, called ‘Jiu-do’.
The idea is that softness overcomes hardness. In other words, a smaller, weaker person can defend themselves against a stronger and larger attacker using the right techniques and movements. You can practise it as self-defence, during special grappling tournaments and Mixed Martial Arts tournaments. Sparring and continuously repeating drills play an important role in training. It is primarily about the performance delivered, especially during matches and tournaments.
History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
The sport began when Mitsuyo Maeda, a master of Kosen Judo (a form of judo that focuses more on ground fighting, known as Ne Waza), emigrated to Brazil. He modified the training methods to make them non-lethal and taught these techniques to Carlos Gracie, who in turn passed them on to his younger brother Helio. The brothers taught the sport to their children, who continue the family tradition to this day. The Gracie family continued to perfect the system over the years.
They often fought in Vale Tudo matches (a precursor to Mixed Martial Arts), focusing on ground fighting and adapting techniques. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became known in the United States in the early 1990s when Royce Gracie won the first, second and fourth ‘Ultimate Fighting’ championships. Since then, it has been a preferred discipline for many MMA fighters and is widely praised for its emphasis on ground fighting. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments are attracting increasing attention worldwide and are becoming more well-known and larger, such as the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) no-gi submission grappling tournaments.
The sport is sometimes called Gracie Jiu Jitsu, but this name is trademarked by Rorion Gracie and refers to the style promoted by him and his instructors. Other members of the Gracie family have something similar, such as Charles Gracie and Renzo Gracie. The Machado brothers call it Machado Jiu-Jitsu. Each style has its own unique aspects, but they are generally regarded as derivatives of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the Netherlands
Although the sport has been practised in the Netherlands for years, it is not yet very well known, despite the country’s worldwide reputation in martial arts. There are quite a few schools in the Netherlands where you can practise Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Most have a ‘black belt’ teaching classes, but not all of them. The trainers mainly come from Brazil. Mathieu Peters from Oss is the first Dutch ‘black belt’. He passed the prestigious examination in January 2007 at the Yamasaki Academy in Washington, USA. The expectation is that the sport will experience enormous growth in the Netherlands. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is considered one of the most effective martial arts.
Belgium already has several black belts: Juan Grizzo, Sabatine, Mario D’Hoker and Koen Smets. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is also well received here, and the number of practitioners is steadily growing. In the past, many were forced to travel abroad regularly for competitions and seminars. Nowadays, the clubs themselves are increasingly organising training camps, seminars and competitions to raise their level.
