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A new Olympic sport: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Amidst a recent surge in popularity, initial proposals have been made for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to make its debut at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. However, there are a number of hurdles that need to be overcome before the sport is taken seriously in the eyes of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The Olympic Games is evolving, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games welcomed and introduced five new sports which iThe Olympic Games are constantly evolving, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games welcomed and introduced five new sports which included; Skateboarding, Break Dancing and Climbing. However despite its popularity, one sport that is still yet to make the cut and to be named as an official Olympic sport is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ).

sports signage
Photo by Bryan Turner on Unsplash

A grappling-based martial art, it has a central theme around taking down, controlling and submitting your opponent. Effectively, it enables practitioners to deal with physical altercations on the ground. Seen as a derivative of Judo, the founding fathers of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu hailed from Gastao Gracie in Brazil in the early 1900’s.

Not long after its inauguration, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu exploded in popularity as the number one martial art discipline. Royce Gracie, a descendant of the founders, won the first ever Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC 1). Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as we know it today, is one of the world’s fastest growing martial arts and this Gracie tradition is practiced globally.

Over the last decade alongside the UFC, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has increased exponentially in Over the last decade alongside the UFC, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has increased exponentially in popularity to become a mainstream sport. With competitions, events and influential athletes such as Gordan Ryan and Craig Jones growing in recognition. As such, questions have been raised regarding the status of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and whether it should now achieve Olympic sport status. 

NEXT STOP – THE OLYMPICS?

With Brazilian Jiu Jitsu undoubtably being a sport of Olympic standard, unfortunately there are several significant reasons why it still is not being considered. Although fans and athletes of the sport have expressed their interest, as said by Fabio Gurgel, there are many more mountains to climb if BJJ wants a future in the Olympics.

Fabio Gurgel: “It has everything to become an Olympic sport! Now in partnership with the Emirates, I believe it is a certain goal.

Fabio Gurgel: “One of the questions I hear most from the general public is when Jiu Jitsu will become an Olympic sport? this was a dream of every athlete in my time and still must be of many today.”

WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE?

FFirstly, there is no official governing body to meet the IOC’s regulations. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has a number of competitions that are ran internationally such as the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), but this is self-governed.

Secondly, these different federations sometimes have contradicting rules. Existing Olympic sports such as Wrestling and Judo have been forced to change the rules of their sport in order for it to stay relevant and entertaining. As an example, the IBBJF would need to water down it’s rulebook on leg locks, slamming and reaping the knee your opponent. 

Finally, there is one paramount reason why the IOC is not taking Brazilian Jiu Jitsu seriously, it’s anti-doping testing protocols. Agreed, positive steps have been made recently in order to tackle this issue of doping within the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, however the sport is still in it’s infancy Finally, there is another clear, paramount reason why the IOC is not taking Brazilian Jiu Jitsu seriously, and this is its anti-doping testing protocols. Agreed, positive steps have been made recently in order to tackle this issue of doping within the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, however the sport is still in its infancy with regards to what is expected from the IOC and WADA’s standard of anti-doping testing and regulation. 

man taking shit off surrounded with people
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

More than ever, sports fans are open to the idea of new and exciting sports for entertainment, and unquestionably Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fits that mold. The future of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu swings in the balance, does the sport push for Olympic status, or continue down the path individual governance, rulesets and loose doping protocols.

Or does Brazilian Jiu Jitsu need the Olympic stage in-order for the sport to propel itself to the next level?

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