Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Some historians of Jiu-Jitsu say that the reason for "the gentle art" can be traced back to India, where it was practiced by Buddhist monks. Engaged in self-defense, these monks created techniques based upon principles of balance and leverage, and a scheme to manipulate the body in a manner where one could avoid relying upon strength or weapons. With the expansion of Buddhism, Jiu-Jitsu spread from Southeast Asia to China, finally arriving in Japan where it developed and gained further popularity.

In the last days of the 19th century, some Jiu-Jitsu masters emigrated from Japan to other continents, teaching martial arts and participate in matches and competitions.

Esai Maeda Koma, also known as "Conde Koma," was such a champion. When traveling with a troupe which fought in various countries in Europe and the Americas, Koma arrived in Brazil in 1915, and settled in Belem do Para the next year, where he met a man named Gastao Gracie.

Father of eight children, among them five boys and three girls, Gastao became a Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast and brought his oldest son, Carlos, to learn from the Japanese master.

For a naturally frail fifteen-year-old Carlos Gracie, Jiu-Jitsu became a method not only to combat, but for personal improvement. At nineteen, he moved to Rio de Janeiro with his family and began teaching and fighting. During his travels, Carlos would teach classes, and also proved the effectiveness of the art by beating opponents who were physically stronger. In 1925 he returned to Rio and opened the first school, known as the "Academia Gracie de Jiu-Jitsu."

Since then, Carlos started to share his knowledge with his brothers, adapting and refining techniques to the naturally weaker characteristics of his family. Carlos also taught them his philosophies on life and his concepts of natural nutrition. Eventually, Carlos became a pioneer in creating a special diet for athletes, "the Gracie diet," which transformed Jiu-Jitsu into a term synonymous with health.

After creating an effective self defense system to Carlos Gracie the art a way to become a man who was more tolerant, respectful, and assertive. With a goal of proving Jiu-Jitsu's superiority over other martial arts, Carlos challenged the greatest fighters of his time. He also managed the fighting careers of his brothers. Because the fighting and defeating opponents fifty or sixty pounds heavier, the Gracias quickly gained recognition and prestige.

Attracted by the new market which was opened around Jiu-Jitsu, many Japanese practitioners came to Rio, but none were able to establish schools as successful as Gracias. It was because the Japanese designers were more focused on the takedown and throws, and the Jiu-Jitsu practiced Gracias were more sophisticated ground fighting and submission techniques. Carlos and his brothers changed and adapted the techniques in such a way that it completely changed the complexion of the international Jiu-Jitsu principles. These techniques were so distinctive to Carlos and his brothers that the sport became attached to a national identity and is now known as "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu," practiced by martial artists all over the world, including Japan.

With the establishment of an official governing body to oversee the management of sport, including competition rules and classification system, the era of sport Jiu-Jitsu competitions was started. Today, Jiu-Jitsu is a highly organized sports, with an International Federation as well as a Brazilian National Confederation, both founded by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. Through his work with the Confederation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Carlos Gracie Jr. contributed to growth in the sport by keep some of the first organized competitions. Currently IBJJF and CBJJ includes competitions in Brazil, U.S., Europe and Asia, realizing Carlos' original dream to spread Jiu Jitsu in the world.