{"id":629,"date":"2026-03-06T17:02:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T14:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tanitmykonos.com\/brazilian-jiu-jitsu\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T17:06:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T14:06:08","slug":"brazilian-jiu-jitsu","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tanitmykonos.com\/en\/brazilian-jiu-jitsu\/","title":{"rendered":"Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Gentle Art <\/p><\/div>\r\n \r\n

What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?<\/h2>\r\n \r\n \r\n

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport focused on grappling and ground fighting. Unlike martial arts that rely primarily on striking, BJJ emphasizes technique, allowing a smaller and physically weaker person to defend themselves effectively against a larger and stronger opponent through specialized holds and submissions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n Contact Us<\/span>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n
\r\n \"\"\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\n\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n
\r\n \r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\n

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n History & Origins <\/h2>\r\n \r\n
\r\n

To better understand BJJ, it is important to explore its evolution from Japanese Judo into a distinct Brazilian martial art.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\r\n \r\n
\r\n \"\"\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
\r\n The story begins with Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese judoka and professional fighter also known as \u201cConde Koma.\u201d Having trained under Kano Jigoro, the founder of Judo, Maeda traveled around the world competing against wrestlers and boxers. <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n \r\n
\r\n \"\"\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
\r\n In 1914, he arrived in Brazil and began teaching Kano Jiu-Jitsu (the original name of Judo) to Carlos Gracie, the eldest son of businessman Gast\u00e3o Gracie. <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n \r\n
\r\n \"\"\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
\r\n Although Carlos Gracie founded the first Academia Gracie de Jiu-Jitsu, it was his younger brother, H\u00e9lio Gracie, who evolved the art into the form we know today. <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n \r\n
\r\n \"\"\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
\r\n Due to his smaller physical build, he could not rely on the throws of traditional Judo. By adapting the techniques, he placed greater emphasis on timing, positioning, leverage, and fighting from the guard position. <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n \r\n
\r\n \"\"\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
\r\n BJJ remained largely a \u201csecret\u201d of Brazil until 1993, when H\u00e9lio\u2019s son, Royce Gracie, competed in the first Ultimate Fighting Championship. In a tournament featuring boxers, wrestlers, and karate practitioners, the smaller Royce defeated every opponent using only BJJ, proving that ground fighting is essential for a complete martial artist. <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n