What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial art and combat sport system that focuses on grappling with particular emphasis on ground fighting. Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) has come to be its own defined combat sport through the innovations, practices, and adaptation of judo.
BJJ is founded on the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger, heavier opponent by using technique, leverage, and most notably, taking the fight to the ground, and then applying joint locks and chokeholds to defeat the opponent. BJJ training can be used for sport grappling tournaments and in self-defence situations. Sparring is commonly referred to as “rolling” within the BJJ community and is live drilling which plays a major role in training and the practitioner’s development. BJJ is considered a martial art, a sport, a method for promoting physical fitness and building character, and a way of life.
Hélio Gracie
The Father of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Hélio Gracie (October 1, 1913 – January 29, 2009) was a Brazilian martial artist who, together with his brother Carlos Gracie, founded the martial art of Gracie jiu-jitsu, also known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. According to Rorion Gracie, his father Hélio is one of the first sports heroes in Brazilian history. A patriarch of the Gracie family, multiple members of his family have gone on to have successful careers in mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is one of only six practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to achieve the rank of grandmaster, which is recognized with a red belt and is reserved for pioneers of the martial art.