The Ultimate Showdown: Judo vs Jiu Jitsu - Unveiling the Secrets of Two Ancient Martial Arts
Judo vs Brazilan Jiu Jitsu
What’s the diffrence?
In the realm of martial arts, two ancient disciplines reign supreme: Judo and Jiu Jitsu.
Both embody centuries of tradition and offer a wealth of physical and mental benefits. But when it comes to pitting these two powerhouses against each other, who will come out on top? On the other hand, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, an offshoot of Judo, places greater emphasis on ground fighting and submissions.
Its techniques prioritize controlling an opponent through locks and chokes, making it a formidable form of self-defense.
In the vast realm of martial arts, two captivating combat forms have carved a unique niche for themselves - Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Originating from the same root of ancient Japanese martial arts, these two disciplines have evolved into distinct entities with their unique philosophies, techniques, and competitive formats.
So Lets breakdown the 2.
Judo: The Gentle Way
The Emergence of Judo
Judo, known as the "gentle way," sprung from the ancient martial art system of Japan, which was established in 1532, called Takenouchi-ryu. The Samurai warriors of Japan's feudal era extensively practiced this fighting system, which laid the groundwork for Judo and many other martial art forms.
The inception of modern Judo traces back to the late 19th century when Jigoro Kano, a young Jiu-Jitsu fighter, envisioned spreading the combat style to the masses. In 1882, Kano opened the first Kodokan Judo school, modifying traditional Jiu-Jitsu to make it more accessible and less brutal. Kano's version of Judo soon gained popularity, securing a place in the training regimes of law enforcement and military organizations in Japan.
Judo Joins the Olympics
Kano's success in propagating Judo globally led to his invitation to the Olympic Committee in 1909. The 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games marked the official inclusion of Judo, bringing this martial art form to a global platform.
The Philosophy and Techniques of Judo
Judo imbibes the philosophy of gentleness, despite its dynamic nature. It emphasizes the use of balance, power, and movement to subdue an opponent, focusing predominantly on standing techniques. Judo players specialize in throws, trips, and foot sweeps executed from standing and clinch positions.
The techniques of Judo include throws, joint locks, and chokeholds, which are still effective even against armored opponents, reflecting its Samurai roots. It does not involve kicking, punching, or striking of any kind, does not put pressure on joints to throw an opponent, and involves no equipment or weapons.
The Belt Ranking of Judo
The belt ranking system in Judo plays a vital role in depicting a player's experience and expertise level. The advancement through the belt colors signifies the progression in a Judoka's (a practitioner of Judo) journey, with each color representing a specific level of proficiency.
Kyu Grades (Mudansha):
These are for students who have not yet attained the level worthy of a black belt.
Kyu grades are indicated by colored belts:
Sixth Kyu (Rokkyū): Beginners wear a light blue belt.
Fifth Kyu (Gokyū): After passing an elementary level, practitioners adopt a white belt.
Fourth Kyu (Yonkyū): Still indicated by a white belt.
Third Kyu (Sankyū): Brown belt for seniors or purple belt for juniors.
Second Kyu (Nikyū): Brown belt for seniors or purple belt for juniors.
First Kyu (Ikkyū): The last kyu rank before promotion to the first-degree black belt (shodan).
Dan Grades (Yūdansha):
These denote expert levels and are ranked in ascending numerical order.
Dan grades wear black belts:
First Dan (Shodan): The initial black belt.
Second Dan (Nidan), Third Dan (Sandan), Fourth Dan (Yondan), and Fifth Dan (Godan) follow.
Sixth Dan (Rokudan), Seventh Dan (Nanadan), Eighth Dan (Hachidan), and Ninth Dan (Kudan).
Tenth Dan (Jūdan): The highest rank in Judo.
This ranking system was introduced by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of Judo, in 1883
Jiu Jitsu: The Art of Flexibility
The Advent of Jiu Jitsu
Jiu Jitsu, or the "art of flexibility," shares its root with Judo in the traditional Japanese martial art forms. However, the modern version of Jiu Jitsu, known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), found its origin in South America, thanks to Mitsuyo Maeda, a disciple of Jigoro Kano.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: The Gracie Legacy
Maeda traveled to Brazil in 1914 as part of a Japanese immigration colony. He initiated the first Judo school and started training the Gracie brothers, who eventually shifted their focus to the ground aspect of Judo, known as "newaza." The Gracie family's contribution to modifying Judo ground techniques led to the emergence of a unique fighting style called Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. They utilized their ground fighting skills to dominate Vale Tudo, the no-holds-barred fights in Brazil.
The Philosophy and Techniques of Jiu Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu emphasizes ground techniques, with some standing techniques incorporated for self-defense. The primary goal of a BJJ match is to force the opponent to submit. The sport instills the philosophy that a smaller and weaker opponent can outmaneuver a stronger one using appropriate techniques and leverage.
The Belt Ranking of Jiu Jitsu
The belt ranking system in Jiu Jitsu serves as a roadmap for students' progression. The journey from a white belt to a black belt reflects the development of technical skills, tactical strategies, and mental toughness.
Adult Belt Ranks (16 years and older):
White Belt: The beginning rank for all BJJ students. White belts focus on fundamental techniques and positional control.
Blue Belt: After gaining experience, practitioners advance to blue belt. They learn more complex techniques and develop their game.
Purple Belt: Purple belts have a solid understanding of BJJ. They refine their techniques, transitions, and submissions.
Brown Belt: Brown belts are highly skilled and often considered experts. They focus on mastery and teaching.
Black Belt: The pinnacle of achievement in BJJ. Black belts have extensive knowledge, exceptional skills, and often contribute to the art.
You can read more about Evolution MMA / Alliance Jiu Jitsu Belt rankning system with the button below:
Fabio Gurgel, and
Their vision was to create a powerhouse team that would not only excel in technical prowess but also uphold the highest standards of professionalism.
Here’s a glimpse into the story of Alliance:
Origins and Unification:
In the 1980s, Jacaré and his two black belt students, Fabio Gurgel (General) and Alexandre Paiva (Gigi), followed separate paths in their own academies.
However, whenever they met in championships, they ended up competing against each other due to their origins, creating an unfair rivalry.
In 1993, they made a pivotal decision: to form an alliance—ALLIANCE—so they could stand together in all competitions.
This alliance allowed them to combine their strengths and create a unified force in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Growth and Association:
As their academies expanded and formed affiliates, they realized the need for a unified teaching method and effective management.
In 2014, they established an association to achieve these goals, implementing Fabio Gurgel’s successful management practices.
In 2016 Evolution MMA joined team Alliance Jiu Jitsu and became Chicago’s Alliance Jiu Jitsu
Today, the ALLIANCE Team boasts over 300 affiliates worldwide and holds an impressive 13x WORLD CHAMPION title.
Some of the main champions associated with Alliance include Sergio Moraes, Bruno Malfacine, Cobrinha, Bernardo Faria, and many more.
Founders:
Romero “Jacaré” Cavalcanti:
Born in 1952, Jacaré began his BJJ journey at the age of 11.
He trained with notable figures such as Carlos Gracie Jr., Rickson Gracie, and others.
Fabio Gurgel (“General”):
Born in 1970, Fabio started his BJJ career at 13.
He received his black belt from Jacaré at 19 and became one of the founders of Alliance.
Alexandre Paiva (“Gigi”):
Alexandre began training in 1983 with Jacaré.
He obtained his black belt in 1991 and played a crucial role in Alliance’s growth.
Alliance Jiu-Jitsu continues to shape the world of BJJ, producing champions both on the mats and in life. You too can be part of this remarkable legacy by joining the Alliance family!
Judo vs Jiu Jitsu: The Dichotomy
While Judo and Jiu Jitsu share a common lineage and philosophy, they exhibit stark differences in their focus, techniques, and competitive formats. Judo accentuates standing techniques and throws, while Jiu Jitsu prioritizes ground control and submissions.
In terms of competition rules, Judo matches can be won by executing a perfect throw, pinning the opponent on the mat for 20 seconds, or making the opponent submit.
On the other hand, a BJJ match can be won either by points or by forcing the opponent to submit.
The belt ranking system also varies between Judo and Jiu Jitsu, reflecting the distinct training and grading methodologies of these martial arts.
The Interlinkages: Judo and Jiu Jitsu
Despite the differences, Judo and Jiu Jitsu are intertwined in many ways.
Both martial arts focus on using an opponent's strength and movements against them, promoting the principle of efficiency. They share several techniques, particularly those related to grappling and submissions.
The use of a uniform, or Gi, is common in both Judo and Jiu Jitsu competitions, and gripping an opponent's Gi is an integral part of the techniques in both martial arts.
A Tale of Two Martial Arts
Judo and Jiu Jitsu, despite their unique trajectories, remain closely connected through their shared roots and principles. Each martial art form offers unique benefits and challenges, contributing to the richness and diversity of the martial arts world. Whether it's the gentle way of Judo or the flexibility of Jiu Jitsu, both martial arts continue to captivate practitioners worldwide, enriching their journey of physical prowess and mental fortitude.