Rigan Machado speaking on USA Jiu Jitsu

[Budo Warrior]

Guys,

Well we are finally ready to get USA Jiu Jitsu kicked off! I just started our blog and we will have a bunch more interviews, articles and what not coming out in the next few days.

Last week we had Rigan Machado in Wash DC for our Grand Opening and to lead our first instructor training workshop.

Please check out the blog and the video where Rigan talks about the future of USA Jiu Jitsu.

http://www.usajj-blog.com/

[Kyduh]

Olympics? Did he say olympics?

Jui-jitsu in olympics would make me very very very happy.

[Kay]

making a usa jiu jitsu support section soon, i hope you guys contribute to it

[Avenged]

I just dont see BJJ getting into the olympics...it would be killer, I just seriously doubt the wrestlers and judo guys would like that.

[Kyduh]

I just dont see BJJ getting into the olympics...it would be killer, I just seriously doubt the wrestlers and judo guys would like that.

I think the sports should be integrated. Submission grappling is the international sport with a gi and no gi division ;-)

[JanneM]

BJJ will never be in Olympics. Not with the organisation structure like now.
So many things should change before BJJ could be in Olympics. First of all. There should be strong international federation that has continental federations as it's members and ofcourse strong continental federations that have national federations as its members. And all national federations should have clubs as it's members...
There should be a change in a championship structure too... Only one fighter/category/country like in any other sport in a worl. National championships should be reserved only for members of national federation and continental championships should be reserved for people from the national teams of these country in that region. ALso world championships should be limited to only for the athletes who are part of the organisation structure...

Before these litle changes BJJ can never be Olympic sport. ADn after these the road is long because there already is Judo.

[Kyduh]

Please stop killing our dream. Reality is hardly ever pertinent.

[OneManBand1030]

BJJ will never be in Olympics. Not with the organisation structure like now.
So many things should change before BJJ could be in Olympics. First of all. There should be strong international federation that has continental federations as it's members and ofcourse strong continental federations that have national federations as its members. And all national federations should have clubs as it's members...
There should be a change in a championship structure too... Only one fighter/category/country like in any other sport in a worl. National championships should be reserved only for members of national federation and continental championships should be reserved for people from the national teams of these country in that region. ALso world championships should be limited to only for the athletes who are part of the organisation structure...

Before these litle changes BJJ can never be Olympic sport. ADn after these the road is long because there already is Judo.

I believe that if they want to put BJJ into the olympics it is all possible. It is just a matter of talking it over with the right people. I am a stronger believer in the fact that it is who you know not always what you know. Granite there is room for change and could possibly need a little change but I don't believe that it should necessarily be required to consider it for the olympics.

[JanneM]

One major thing on a way of BJJ in Olympics is Judo. Judo is some what similar art and it is way more spectaor friendly than BJJ. Can you imagine pesadissimo Olympic final. 8min of leaning on to each other and 2min laying on top of another fighter... Spectacular...

Judo to BJJ is similar or eaven bigger block to BJJ than taekwondo is to karate.
To masses Judo is same with BJJ but more exciting.

AND... I really don't like the idea that being TV friendly would start to dictate how BJJ rules and competitions would evolve... (stand ups. More points on bigger throws etc...)

[Budo Warrior]

All good post and some really good discussion!

It will definitely be a challenge getting Jiu Jitsu to the Olympics. Notice I said Jiu Jitsu and not Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Certainly we all draw our heritage from Brazil, but I think it needs to be divorced somewhat from the Brazil part if we are going to be successful. Why do we not call Judo, "Japanese Judo"?

Anyway, it will be a long haul and certainly JJ is very similar to Judo, and Judo by far has many, many more people involved than JJ! Then again, you have several types of wrestling in the olympics and to the non-wrestlers it all looks the same right!

Yes there needs to be a strong International Governing body. But lets back off the Olympics for a bit and look at what we can do (and must do first).

1. We need to have real State, Regional, and National, and International Championships. Not "Opens" where anybody with a check book can simply show up that day and be the "World Champ". (Ask me how I became a two time European Champion in BJJ in 2007 and 2008).

2. We need to grow the sport from the bottom up. Stop thinking so much about the Olympics and start thinking about our communities and states and regions. USA Jiu Jitsu will start with Regional Tournaments at first to develop our base, referees and officials. Yes, we will have referees and officials that are trained by USAJJ and they will come from you guys, not some guys that were picked from the 'hey you' from the side line, or paid by a commercial tournament...but from you guys that are a part of the sport!

3. We will start with the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) and work with the Junior Olympics to develop our programs and develop a new base of up and coming students under the age of 18. THink about it, by the time we get it into the Olympics, all of us will be way too old to compete at that level any way!

The exciting part is that we will (in the US at least) have a organization that is run by Jiu Jitsu guys, not any one organization, and the organization is there to simply give back to you, not to take your money at a tournament give you a $10.00 piece of metal and a tee-shirt. THIS is what I think is most important about USAJJ, not the olympics.

It is the Instructors training course, the Referee Courses, the opportunity to attend seminars and not worry about the politics of who is an aligned with who. the opportunity for those that don't have a "Sensei" or School to get support and promotions through the organization and not have to worry about the politics or having to pay big bucks for affliliation fees when they open a shingle.

Anyway, I could go on...but probably boring you guys by now!

Be patient and please provide us feedback and ask questions as this is all new and is gaining speed fast as we build the organization. It is YOUR organization (if you so choose) so we welcome any assistance or ideas as we grow and mature!