Jiu-Jitsu and Philosophy

Jiu-Jitsu’s roots go back to the dawn of human civilization and it has become extraordinarily popular in the hearts and minds of the martial arts community. Its philosophy is based on two pillars:

The first pillar is the use of mental strength to gain an advantage over opponents. This will help not only in resisting attacks, but also in avoiding hostile situations and ultimately overcoming them.

The second pillar is the use of unarmed combat to improve fitness levels, flexibility, self-discipline, focus and composure. This discipline and focus also helps in setting and achieving goals.

History and Origins

Jiu-Jitsu shares some common roots with other martial arts. India is the birthplace of the sport and Buddhist monks developed and refined its characteristics. They focused on balance and strength to limit the use of weapons used at the time.

Later, it gained great interest, participation and popularity in China and Japan. Japanese Jiu-Jitsu techniques are known as the “Gentle Way” and are based on core values such as loyalty, justice, morality, peace, humility, honor, self-reliance and respect.

Despite the emergence of various martial arts such as Aikido, Karate and Judo, Jiu-Jitsu has retained the true spirit and values of the original art.

In 1915, a Japanese fighter named Mitsuyo Maeda performed Jiu-Jitsu demonstrations and exhibition fights, leading to the rapid popularization of the sport in Brazil. He settled in Belém and taught Jiu-Jitsu while helping new Japanese immigrants settle into the community. One of his best students was a young man named Carlos Gracie, the son of Gastão Gracie, a business partner of the American Circus in Belém.

Carlos Gracie soon became famous for his skills, defeating opponents who were physically stronger than him. In 1925 he opened the Gracie Jujitsu Academy in Rio de Janeiro, the first academy of its kind, and helped spread Maeda’s philosophy.

Between 1940 and 2004, the Gracie family won many tournaments against physically superior fighters. For the Gracies, Jiu-Jitsu was more than a martial art; it was a way of life. They developed their Jiu-Jitsu techniques into a national sport known as ‘Brazilian-Jiu-Jitsu’, practiced by martial artists all over the world.

JIU JITSU IN UAE

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has demonstrated his commitment to making the UAE a hub for Jiu-Jitsu by designating Jiu-Jitsu as the national sport of the UAE. This reinforces the “healthy mind, healthy body” philosophy, which aims to make Abu Dhabi a health-conscious society.

Following the launch of the Abu Dhabi Fight Club in 1999, the first year was a huge success with applications from all over the world. The event is now recognized as the largest and most prestigious of its kind. With the new competition rules, the event was so successful that it soon spread from Abu Dhabi to various countries.

The World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup was launched in 2009. Five years later, with the help of the Abu Dhabi Education Council, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the sport is now part of the curriculum of more than 100 Abu Dhabi public schools, benefiting more than 40,000 boys and girls.

Jiu-Jitsu has also benefited greatly from the support of His Highness Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, National Security Advisor.

In every country, Jiu-Jitsu was founded by a spiritual father who supported its success and spread its popularity to different segments of society. In the UAE, the spiritual father of the sport is His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who deserves the most credit for the sport’s rapid impact, development and spread to various fields.

His Highness first became passionate about the sport in 1995 when he followed the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) while studying in San Diego, USA. Enthusiasts of the sport were scattered across the US. Sheikh Tahnoon joined Gracie Barra, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association, to learn the principles of Jiu-Jitsu. Upon his return to the UAE in 1997, Sheikh Tahnoon was keen to spread the sport throughout the country due to its significant mental, physical and social benefits.

Abu Dhabi established a Jiu-Jitsu club that same year and his vision was to make the city the global capital of the Jiu-Jitsu community. The new rules and point system helped minimize brutal strikes, with an emphasis on using the hands to attack in a more tactical way. All this has attracted more enthusiasts to the sport.

Sheikh Tahnoon is known for his deep passion for all forms of martial arts and has mastered combat fighting since childhood, including Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Sambo and others. He was also the first Emirati to be awarded a black belt.

BENEFITS

Jiu-Jitsu is a mind, body and spirit sport. It has great benefits for individuals.