What is Jiu-Jitsu? Joe Hurst Jiu-Jitsu

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The Early Beginning In the late 1800's a style of fighting was taught and practiced in Japan called Jiu-Jitsu. In 1914, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu Champions Esai Maeda and Inomata arrived in Brazil to help establish a Japanese immigration colony in that developing country. He was aided by Gastao Gracie, a Brazilian Scholar, a successful business man with strong political influence, and of Scottish decent. Having little money and being the representative of the colony, he wanted to give something in return. To show his gratitude, the oriental master taught the basic secrets of that ancient fighting style to Gastao's son, Carlos Gracie. Carlos became obsessed with the traditional Japanese methods and studied for four years. At the age of 18, he moved south to Rio de Janeiro and began teaching and in 1925 he opened the first jiu-jitsu Academy in Botafogo, a district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Jiu-Jitsu Evolves Eventually, his brothers Osvaldo, Gastão Jr., and Jorge learned the art and trained with Carlos. Helio, being very weak because of cronic sickness, was forbidden to train by doctors, so he watched. One day when Carlos was late for class, Helio worked with the student because he knew the student's level. As they trained, Helio began to adapt the techniques to be based on leverage instead of strength. This began the transformation of traditional Jiu-jitsu into Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Carlos, who was interested in street-fighting and was also a boxer, modified the classical techniques learned from Count Koma to meet the demands of a real, "no rules" fighting situation. Carlos then tested and refined his system through constant matches, open to all challengers. Advertisements were placed in newspapers and on street corners, challenging anyone and everyone, regardless of size, weight, or fighting style. Carlos was never defeated, and became a legend in Brazil. Helio became the most adept fighter in the family, and the mastermind in developing new techniques. Helio began teaching the classes himself, and Carlos was impressed. Knowing he had an able successor, Carlos retired from teaching and began studying nutrition. Over time, they developed their system into a very comprehensive fighting art, very seldom losing challenge matches. Helio then entered the professional fighting world, challenging Japanese Judo and Jiu-jitsu fighters, professional boxers, and professional brawlers. Two of his most famous bouts were the only two he lost in his life. Masahiko Kimura, 7th Dan, considered the greatest Judoka to ever live, was to be the first man to defeat Helio Gracie. Kimura boldly stated that if Helio lasted more than 3 minutes, he should consider himself the winner. Helio fought Kimura for 15 minutes before being caught in an armlock. Fearfull of having his brother's arm shattered, Carlos threw in the towel. Tremendously impressed with the little Brazilian, the Japanese masters invited Helio to come to Japan and teach, an almost unheard of request. Respectfully, Helio declined. Waldemar Santana was a student of Helio's, and a powerfully built stone cutter. Much younger than Helio, it is said that Santana purposefully waited until Helio was sick with the flu to challenge him. Against Carlos' wishes to postpone, Helio accepted, and lost after 3 hrs. 45 min. Helio quickly became the family's best fighter, and taught many champions. When Helio lost to Santana, Carlos, who managed his brothers' fighting careers, decided to let another family member step into the limelight. Carlson Gracie Sr. was chosen to retrieve the family's honor by fighting Santana. Santana accepted the challenge, and lost badly to Carlson. While Carlson quickly earned the respect of the fighting world, Helio dedicated his time to teaching. Jiu-Jitsu Comes to America Carlson became the best active fighter in the family, fourth best in Gracie history and went on to produce an almost unbelievable record of over 600 undefeated fights. Now retired from the ring, Carlson's mission in life is to make champions. His "champion factory" in Brazil has produced some of the best black belts, and he hopes to produce the same level of champion at his Los Angeles Academy as well. Helio and his brothers taught many, and are still teaching, turning out the best Brazilian Fighters. They went on to further refine the art via constant no-rules competition, developing what is now known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. It has been modified by the famous Gracie Family of Brazil to become "arguably the most effective martial art in the world." With the arrival of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on the martial arts scene, it has forever changed the way fighters train. From now on, no true martial artist, regardless of style, will ever neglect to include Brazilian ground-fighting techniques in his training schedule. Without learning the proper ways to defend and execute techniques from the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu arsenal it is difficult to survive against a good Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Fighter. Bruce Lee once said that in a fight between a boxer and a wrestler, the wrestler will always win. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the most advanced form of wrestling in the world, and the most efficient way of beating a good Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stylist is by being a better Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stylist. On a 1 on 1 open handed (no weapons) fight, it has tamed styles such as Kung Fu, Karate, Judo, Boxing, Kickboxing, Shootfighting, Wrestling, Sambo, Vale Tudo, Pancrase, Luta Livre, Pitfighting, Jeet Kune Do, Taekwondo, some forms of Ninjutsu, and even it's parent style of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu. It has last notably been proven by Royce Gracie's undefeated record in the "Ultimate Fighting Championship" , (a popular sport of no holds bar competition between any fighting style, as seen on the live Pay Per View event).

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