Have you noticed how popular Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has become in the United States over the past decade? Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions have become known as an excellent venue for wrestlers and grapplers of all types to showcase their talents. Although Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an effective form of self-defense, many people enjoy the art as a competitive sport as well.
Most Brazilian jujitsu competitions are double elimination tournaments that are broken down into weight classes and skill levels. This means that to be eliminated from the event, you must be defeated at least twice. In some larger competitions, you may compete 5 or 6 times in a single day.
The matches are usually 6 minutes long and the winner is determined in one of two ways: First, you can win your match by accumulating more points than your opponent. You gain points by applying various techniques throughout the match, such as taking your opponent to the mat or sweeping them from the guard position.
The second way that you can win your match is by a submission. When one competitor “taps out” from a properly applied submission hold, the match is immediately over—no matter how many points have been accumulated. You can defeat your opponent with chokeholds, leg locks, arm locks and other submissions.
Jujitsu competitions are exciting, one or two day-long events that are usually full of spectators. Here you get the chance to see some of the best grapplers in your area as they test their skills. If you have ever been to a high school or college wrestling meet, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition is very similar. However, unlike wrestling competitions, there may be several BJJ matches happening at one time. There are also national and world championship tournaments for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu that attract competitors from all over the world.
Competitors from white to black belt level will be in attendance at these tournaments. While almost all jujitsu matches are exciting to watch, higher-level belt matches can resemble an intense physical chess match between elite athletes.
Portland Jiu Jitsu Technique: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Competition
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions are usually divided between gi and no-gi competition. Competitors in the gi division must wear a Jiu Jitsu gi, which is a uniform that kind of looks like pajama pants and a jacket. Wearing the gi gives both competitors options for various grips and submission holds that use the material.
If you’ve never done it, we highly recommend that you check out some Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition footage on Youtube. Some popular and exciting competitors with video footage are Marcelo Garcia, Roger Gracie and Kyra Gracie.