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The gentle art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Courtesy: E.T. Slade

The gentle art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu

RICHMOND, Va. — Brazilian jiu-jitsu is one of the fastest-growing martial arts in the world. Its rise as the most effective form of self-defense and popular combat sport began in Brazil over a hundred years ago when members of the famed Gracie family refined Japanese judo techniques to be more effective for smaller and weaker practitioners. The result was a new martial art called “Gracie Jiujitsu” that has deep roots in the samurai arts of feudal Japan.

The aim of Brazilian jiujitsu is to use throws, pins, submission holds, and choking techniques to neutralize an aggressor’s attacks. The best way to do that is to take the fight off the feet and to the ground where technique, leverage, and position are more important than brute strength. Through decades of winning challenge matches in Brazil, the reputation of the Gracie family art grew and slowly spread.

In 1978 Rorion Gracie immigrated to Southern California in an attempt to introduce the martial art to a wider audience. Rorion taught private lessons to any and everyone that had an interest in the self-defense discipline that didn’t rely on big muscles and a high athletic prowess. After years of teaching students in his home garage and academy, Rorion and his business partners devised an idea to showcase Brazilian jiujitsu’s effectiveness. A tournament where opponents of different fighting disciplines would face off in an octagon to see which style reigned supreme. The winner would move on to the next round to fight again. The idea became a reality in 1993 when the first UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) debuted on pay-per-view.

Gracie’s confidence in his martial art paid off when his younger and smaller brother Royce defeated multiple opponents in one night using jiujitsu to become the 1st UFC champion. From there Brazilian jiujitsu became the most in-demand martial art in America and mixed martial arts became the fastest growing sport in the world.

Brazilian jiujitsu is now taught to the military, law enforcement, and private citizens looking to protect themselves in a self-defense situation. It is also a growing sport for children and adults. Don’t let the reputation of the art fool you though, it is completely safe to practice and the risk of injury is low. When two practitioners spar (the free practice of technique with resistance) the signal of submission is tapping your opponent. The victor will let go of the submission hold and the two will start again. It’s this form of practice against resistance and instantly visible results that makes Brazilian jiujitsu an easy art to learn and absorb.

“When it comes to return on investment, jiujitsu is like putting money in the bank. The more you give of yourself to practice, the more benefits you receive in terms of health and fitness, socially and in fighting preparedness” says River Road resident Chris Mahan. Mahan has been a practitioner of jiujitsu for 25 years and runs Top Game Academy on Staples Mill Rd. Top Game Academy is one of the oldest Brazilian Jiujitsu schools in Richmond and boasts several black belt instructors that help guide students in their journey in the “gentle art”.

This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.