Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Histoire

Brazilian jiu-jitsu began with Mitsuyo Maeda, a Kodokan judoka who toured the world fighting challengers and settled in Belém, Brazil, around 1915. There he taught Carlos Gracie, among others.

Carlos and his younger brother Hélio adapted the techniques so a smaller person could beat a bigger one, using leverage, chokes and joint locks on the ground. In 1993 Rorion Gracie co-founded the UFC to show the art; his brother Royce won three of the first four tournaments. The IBJJF, founded in 1994, runs the main competitions, including the World Championship (the "Mundial").

Le saviez-vous ?

• In 1951, Masahiko Kimura beat Hélio Gracie in Rio with an arm lock that is still called "the kimura".
• The adult belts are white, blue, purple, brown and black; a black belt usually takes around ten years.
• The red belt is reserved for the 9th and 10th degrees — the highest masters.
• Matches are won by submission ("tap") or by points for takedowns, sweeps, passes and mounts.
• The rival style Luta Livre, from the same city, grew without the gi.

Glossaire des techniques

Guarda (guard)

fighting from your back with the legs

Montada (mount)

sitting on the opponent's chest

Pegada pelas costas (back mount)

controlling from behind with hooks

Raspagem (sweep)

reversing from the guard

Passagem (guard pass)

getting past the legs

Armlock / chave de braço

elbow lock

Triângulo

triangle choke with the legs

Kimura

shoulder lock

Mata-leão

rear naked choke

Armes et équipement

Kimono (gi)

jacket and trousers

Rash guard

tight shirt for no-gi

⚔ In the Arsenal

Keikogi (gi)Cinto negro

Figures clés

• Mitsuyo Maeda (1878–1941) — "Conde Koma", the judoka who brought the art to Brazil
• Carlos Gracie (1902–1994) — founded the first Gracie academy
• Hélio Gracie (1913–2009) — shaped the leverage-based Gracie style
• Rickson Gracie (1958–) — one of the most respected fighters of the family
• Royce Gracie (1966–) — winner of UFC 1, 2 and 4

Sources: International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) · Encyclopaedia Britannica