GeorgeJitsu: My BJJ Journey: GeorgeJitsu

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

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Why BJJ Can't Be an Olympic Sport... yet.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as a sport, is relatively small. Sure, there are thousands of gyms and organisations internationally, but we're missing the high-profile nature of 'conventional' events like Athletics. Gaining the status of an Olympic sport could bring BJJ to many more locations around the world, inspiring people to watch and participate, and allow our athletes to earn the fame and remuneration afforded to athletes competing in equivalent levels in other sports. Of course, there are downsides to becoming an Olympic sport, evident in the modern over-complication and sterilisation of Taekwondo, brought about by its Olympic involvement (spinning wheel kick, anyone?).

So, without further ado, here's a few short points on why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can't be an Olympic sport yet - the most compelling arguments I've seen whilst trawling the minds and forum posts of our international BJJ community.

1. BJJ is not truly international.

Take a look at the best BJJ practitioners in the world, at training 'hot-spots' of elite gyms - You're probably looking at SoCal or Brazil, right? Not to say that there isn't promising talent elsewhere in the world - quite the opposite, in fact; the art is gradually spreading and unearthing copious amounts of international talent.

BJJ just doesn't have the reach of many other sports. You're likely to find a gym in a wealthy western country, a capital city, or in a location where it has been historically entrenched. Does Ghana have a single BJJ gym?

People around the world travel to training hot-spots to train with the best professors and competitors - travel is expensive, meaning that poorer competitors with no national support aren't afforded the same opportunities as locals.

For BJJ to be taken seriously, it needs time to spread and mature to a greater number of geographical locations.

2. The IFBJJ is not a complete International Federation.

I would describe the IFBJJ as a loose International body - it may certainly be the largest such BJJ organisation in the world, but it is not the only one. In comparison to other sports, it is nowhere near expansive enough to be considered the 'apex' organisation governing our art.

Australia's AFBJJ, for example, has only just been affiliated with the IFBJJ - other nations need to follow, allowing a consistent rule-set across the globe.

3. The presence of other martial arts complicates any Olympic inclusion.

With Judo and two styles of wrestling (freestyle and Greco-Roman) already included, BJJ would have to have enormous influence to be included in the Olympics - perhaps to the exclusion of a 'similar' (to a layman's perspective) sport.

4. BJJ/GJJ - The name is 'un-Olympic'.

This point kind of continues on point 1, that BJJ is not truly international. A sport that features a country or prominent family in its name is a blight on the international focus of the Olympics - hell, is this just an event for Brazilians?

Do we change the name of our art, just to be included in the Olympics, or do we keep a part of our identity?

My pondering has been done. I need a Panadol.

- George