Jiu jitsu is one of the oldest martial arts, and was created by monks in Buddhist Temples in order to improve their physical condition and act as a form of self defence. During the following centuries, jiu jitsu was exported first to Japan and then to Brazil at the beginning of the twentieth century. Upon reaching Brazil, it was changed and improved until it became the martial art that we practice today.

Although jiu jitsu has moved from one country to another, and evolved along the way, its essence remains the same. It’s a method of combat that aims to neutralise an opponent as quickly as possible, and with the minimum damage to either side. Brazilian jiu jitsu is based around the idea that a fighter should use a variety of, “take downs” to drop their opponent to the floor and subdue them using holds, arm locks, chokes and leg locks.

Today, there are many jiu jitsu academies all over Brazil and it has become a very popular sport to compete in, and watch. It was introduced to the UK by Chen Morales, of the Anaconda Team, about six/seven years ago and very soon others were setting up their own teams across the country.

All those who study jiu jitsu are encouraged to take part in competitions on a regular basis in order to gain more experience, and as a way of gauging how far they have progressed. Another system of evaluating students is (as in many other martial arts) the wearing of different coloured belts. Adult beginners start off as white belts and then progress to blue, purple, brown or black belts. Once the black belt has been achieved those wearing it then become a 1st Dan, 2nd Dan, 3rd Dan etc.