Jiu-Jitsu History PDF

Jiu-Jitsu History 1. According to some historians, systemized martial arts techniques came from India along with Buddhism (Dharma). The Shaolin temple was built in the center of China, and this is where Dharma introduced Buddhism and Boxing. Buddhist Monks in northern India are said to have greatly...

Jiu-Jitsu History 1. According to some historians, systemized martial arts techniques came from India along with Buddhism (Dharma). The Shaolin temple was built in the center of China, and this is where Dharma introduced Buddhism and Boxing. Buddhist Monks in northern India are said to have greatly contributed to the early development of jiu-jitsu. Bandits constantly assaulted the monks during their long journeys through the interior of India. Buddhist religious and moral values did not encourage the use of weapons so they were forced to develop an empty hand system of self-defense. 2. Between the 8th and 16th centuries, Japan experienced constant civil war and many systems of jiu-jitsu were utilized, practiced and perfected on the battlefield. This training was used to conquer unarmed and armored opponents. 3. After the Feudal period in Japan ended (jiu-jitsu was no longer needed on the battlefield), a way to practice the art realistically was needed, which is why Jigoro Kano (1860-1938), an educated man who was a member of the cultural department and a practitioner of jiu-jitsu, developed his own version of jiu-jitsu in the late 1800s, called judo. Judo was helpful because it allowed practitioners to practice the art safely and realistically at the same time. 4. Judo (Kano’s version of jiu-jitsu) was altered from the original form of jiu-jitsu, but still contained enough techniques to preserve its realistic effectiveness. He named it Kodokan Judo. The main difference was, in Kano’s opinion, ground work was not as important as achieving the throw or takedown, therefore ground fighting was not emphasized in judo. 5. Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (practiced as judo) was introduced to the Gracie family in Brazil around 1914 by Mitsuyo Maeda, also known as “Count Koma.” Maeda was a champion of jiu-jitsu and a direct student of Kano, at the Kodokan in Japan. 6. After traveling all over the world to compete in challenge matches, Maeda finally ended up in Brazil, in the northern state of Para. There, he befriended Gastão Gracie, an influential businessman, who helped Maeda get established. To show his gratitude, Maeda offered to teach traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu to Gastão’s oldest son, Carlos Gracie. 7. In 1921, Gastão and his family moved to Rio de Janeiro. Carlos, then 18 years old, would go on to share his knowledge of jiu-jitsu with his brothers: Oswaldo, Gastão, and George. 8. Born in 1913, Helio Gracie was an insecure child who suffered from vertigo, and no one could figure out the cause of his condition that would bring on fainting spells. 9. As a teenager, Helio moved in with his older brothers who lived and taught jiu-jitsu in a house in Rio de Janeiro. Since the cause of his dizziness was unknown, doctors recommended that Helio not practice jiu-jitsu, so he would spend his time watching his brothers teach. 10. Eventually, without Carlos’ knowledge, Helio began to practice with his other brothers and students in the 1920s. When Carlos discovered Helio’s progress in jiu-jitsu, he was surprised that the fainting spells that tormented Helio for most of his life had disappeared. 11. As he became more active teaching and training the art, Helio realized that due to his slim frame and the limited access that he had to Japanese masters, he would have to develop his technique through trial and error. Emphasizing the use of leverage and timing over strength and speed, Helio modified virtually all of the techniques and, through trial and error, created Gracie/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 12. To prove the effectiveness of his jiu-jitsu, Helio Gracie fought 21 times. He had many spectacular victories, but his most legendary performances came in defeat. 13. 1951 - At 37 years old, Helio had one of his most brilliant performances against Yukio Kato, a fifth degree Judo black belt, ranked #2 Judoka in the world from the Kodokan. Helio and Kato fought to a draw in their first bout, weeks later they had a rematch and Helio choked Kato unconscious in six minutes. GRACIEUNIVERSITY.COM © 2018 Gracie University ® Jiu-Jitsu History 14. 1951 - His victory against Kato qualified Helio to enter the ring with the world champion, Masahiko Kimura, the best judo pracitioners Japan has ever produced. This historical match took place in 1951 and was held at Maracanã Stadium, which at the time sat 200,000 people. Helio was 38 years old and weighed much less than the esteemed Kimura. After 13 minutes, Kimura won the match with the reverse ude-garami. As a tribute to Kimura’s victory, the armlock technique has since been referred to as the Kimura. 15. 1955 – At 41 years old, Helio fought a former student, Waldemar Santana, who was 16 years younger and significantly heavier. The fight lasted 3 hours and 40 minutes and set the world record for the longest uninterrupted no-holds-barred fight in history. Helio lost the fight via TKO. 16. While jiu-jitsu’s popularity was at an all-time high in Brazil, Rorion Gracie moved to the United States in 1978 determined to share jiu-jitsu with the world. 17. 1979 – Rorion begins teaching classes out of his garage in Hermosa Beach, CA – this would later become known as the original “Gracie Garage.” 18. 1989 – The first Gracie Academy outside of Brazil opens in Torrance, CA. 19. 1993 – The Ulitimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is born. Rorion Gracie and Art Davie pit martial artists representing a wide variety of styles against each other in a “no-holds-barred” contest to determine the most effective fighting system. 20. Royce Gracie, the smallest competitor in the UFC, shocked the world and won three of the first four UFC tournaments, demonstrating the unmatched effectiveness of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. 21. 1994 – The Gracies are invited to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, to introduce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to US Army Special Forces. This gave birth to what would eventually become the Gracie Combatives program. 22. 1995 – The Gracies develop Gracie Survival Tactics (GST), an instructor certification course for exclusively for law enforcement professionals to address the specific challenges of close-quarters combat including weapon retention and non-violent arrest/control tactics. 23. 2006 – Ryron and Rener adapt Gracie Combatives for civilian use. Originally created for the US Army, this program can now be used to teach beginner jiu-jitsu students the essentials for self-defense as quickly as possible. 24. 2008 – Ryron and Rener create the Gracie Academy Instructor Certification Program (ICP) through which dedicated practitioners from around the globe can learn to teach Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and establish their own Certified Training Centers (CTCs). 25. 2009 – Ryron and Rener launch GracieUniverstiy.com, the first ever web-based instructional program that allows first-time students to access the complete Gracie Jiu-Jitsu curriculum from home, in a linear educational format. Using a groundbreaking video evaluation process, at-home students can demonstrate their skills via video upload, and receive direct feedback on their progress. 26. To accommodate the worldwide expansion of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, the Gracie Academy moved to a larger facility in 2017 and was rebranded as “Gracie University” to reflect the shift from a single academy to a global organization. GRACIEUNIVERSITY.COM © 2018 Gracie University ®