Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ( BJJ )  History

There are many hypotheses on the origin of the Jiu-Jitsu.The first hypothesis states that, since the Olympic games are of Greek origin and it had Pankration as its most popular sport, Pankration would have impressed the Roman Gladiators and in the same way it would have traveled to countries like India, China, Japan, etc And would've taken the form of Kung Fu or Wu Shu in China. The Wu shu took the form of Jiu-Jitsu after Ronin a Japanese who came to China to learn this art. And that's how Jiu-Jitsu came into existence. Besides there's another theory which says that in 200 B.C a type of wrestling called Chikua karube evolved into Jiu-Jitsu in Japan. But no theory has proved  Jiu-Jitsu's origin.

The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ, has its history derived from the Gracie family. Lets get deep into the origin of the BJJ. The BJJ is supposed to have derived from Judo. Jigoro Kano (1860-1938) created a new style of martial art by combining Kito Ryu and Tenshin Shin'Yo Ryu styles and called it Kodokan judo. This style was acknowledged widely due to its pre-arranged sequences of attacks and proved most effective.

Kodokan judo was invincible for years and appeared unassailable. At the end of the era a man called Mataemon Tanabe challenged Kano. Tanabe was supposed to be the head master of Fusen Ryu School, a Jui-jitsu style. This match highlighted the Kanos where they lag behind. The Kodokan judo lack effective ground fighting techniques. Kodokan invited Tanabe for teaching the grappling techniques. At that time a man named Mitsuyo Maeda started his Judo training.

Mitsuyo Maeda (1878-1941) mastered this technique and proved his invincibility. Maeda actually practiced classical Jui-Jitsu moves; he entered Kodokan to study Judo. Maeda was sent to U.S.A by Kano to spread Kodokan Judo. Maeda continued his victories in countries like Cuba, U.S.A, U.K., and landed on Brazilian soil. Finally Mitsuyo Maeda established a Jui-Jitsu academy and settled in Brazil. Carlos Gracie a student Of Maeda after being trained by him opened an academy in 1925. Carlos and his brothers became more famous by issuing "Gracie Challenge". Gracie welcomed fighters to fight him in a no-hold-barred (NHB) matches but still he continued to be undefeated. The Gracie fighters became so victorious among all the other style fighters.

Royce Gracie won a series of matches in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) competitions. Soon after Royce's brother continued the victories in Japan and the others of the Gracies were also successful in U.S. in Mixed Martial Arts events.

Although the Brazilian Jui-Jitsu is similar to Judo and other Jui-Jitsu styles, it has its own uniqueness due to the combined features of the essential techniques of Judo and Jui-Jitsu. The BJJ still finds its uniqueness due to its high level of sophistication in the self- defense techniques and applies in real situations of fights. So Jui-Jitsu is practiced as a sport in many schools. Brazilian Jui-jitsu has worldwide franchise schools to spread BJJ to people and to create awareness of self-defense to the civilians.