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Originating from the martial art of Kodokan judo, Brazilian Jui Jitsu is both a self defense art and a combat sport. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gear or a Gi is worn during trainings and competitions. The art focuses on ground fighting and works under the premise that anyone can defend themselves no matter their size. Mitsuyo Maeda was one of five top Japanese judoka experts arriving in Brazil in 1914. Jui-jitsu is much more than fighting, its parent art is judo. It is a sport as well as a martial art. It promotes physical fitness and builds character in young people. Maeda travelled to Brazil as part of an immigration colony where he became friends with Gastao Gracie, a businessman who helped Maeda get settled. To show his appreciation, Maeda offered to teach Japanese Jui-Jitsu to Carlos Gracie, Gastao's eldest son. Carlos taught his brothers the art and they taught Jui-Jitsu in a borough of Rio de Janeiro. The Gracie boys took the art to the United States and referred to it as Brazilian Jui-Jitsu with each brother teaching their own technique. There are now three main styles the Gracie Barra, Gracie Humaita and Carlson Jui-Jitsu. In the 1990's the sport became better known when Royce Gracie won the Ultimate Fighting Championships. In Brazilian Jui-Jitsu the opponent is fought on the ground using submission holds, choke holds and joint locks. Even though this is a martial art ground work is emphasized. In training submissions are focused on without strikes to allow for full speed and power to be developed. The primary ground positions are guard, back mount, full mount and side control. Guard involves the practitioner on their back using their legs to control the opponent allowing for a variety of choke holds and joint locks, there are open, closed and half guard positions. Back mount involves wrapping the legs and arms around the opponent, choke holds are used in this position especially if the opponent is larger. The full mount involves straddling the opponent and pressing the knees into the armpits reducing movement. Side control pins the opponent on their side and pressure is used on the hips and shoulders. Submission holds include chokes and joint locks. Joint locks isolate the opponents limbs creating leverage with the body. This forces the joint past its normal range of motion as pressure is increased causing submission. A choke hold can cause unconsciousness if the opponent does not submit soon enough. Joint locks are not true submission moves and are not used in higher levels of competition. Joint locks use the wrists, elbows, shoulders and ankles because these areas are more flexible. The knuckles are driven into pressure points on the body to inflict pain to the opponent causing them to submit. Blood chokes and air chokes or chokes and strangles are the most common forms of submission holds. Chokes are used to constrict air flow and strangles constrict the flow of blood. Strangles work better than air chokes which can damage the trachea or result in death. Strangulations can cut the flow of blood to the brain and cause unconsciousness. Supervision should be in place during this type of move. Based on ones level of knowledge and skill will determine the color belt they wear. The colors are white for younger practitioners who are 15 years old or younger. The highest color belt is the red 9th and 10th dan black belt. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gear consists of a kimono and a belt.
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