Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, also known as BJJ, is one of Brazil’s most important cultural and sporting expressions. Its history dates back to the early 20th century when Japanese master Mitsuyo Maeda brought the fundamentals of traditional Jiu-Jitsu to Brazil.
The art underwent a profound transformation in Brazil, becoming an independent sport with refined techniques adapted to its practitioners’ physical and strategic reality. The Gracie family, led initially by Carlos Gracie and later by Hélio Gracie, played a central role in this adaptation and development process, shaping what is now known worldwide as BJJ, one of the most practiced and respected sports in Brazil and the world.
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The Gracie family’s significant contribution was based on two fundamental pillars: (a) transforming traditional Jiu-Jitsu, which depended on physical strength, into a highly technical system in which principles such as leverage, frame, and postural control allowed a fighter to overcome physically stronger opponents; and (b) creating the first official federation of the sport, the Jiu-Jitsu of Guanabara Federation, in 1967, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The federation was established under the authorization of the National Sports Confederation of Brazil. The federation was founded by five founding schools led by Hélio Gracie, Alvaro Barreto, Joao Alberto Barreto, Hélcio Leal Binda, and Oswaldo Fadda.
The president of the Federation was Helio Gracie, and the Chairman of the Advisory Council was Carlos Gracie. His firstborn, Carlson Gracie, was the director of the technical department. The first vice technician was Oswaldo Fadda, and the second was Orlando Barradas – both Jiu-Jitsu Professors. Joao Alberto Barreto, an outstanding student of the Gracies, was appointed director of the education department, with Robson Gracie as deputy director – all now known as grand masters of the art.
The Federation of Guanabara was chaired by Grand Master Hélio Gracie and introduced sports regulations. The foundation of the federation was the first step in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu developing into the structured sport of today, where practitioners seek superior control positions over their opponents and finish a match through joint attacks or chokes, forcing the opponent to submit – a gesture symbolized by tapping three times. In Jiu-Jitsu, the athlete aims to accumulate points by achieving superior positions over his opponent or submission within the regulation time. If neither athlete finishes the fight, the one with the most points at the end of the battle wins.
With the contribution of Hélcio Leal Binda, a loyal student of Grand Master Helio Gracie, weight divisions, age groups, and a belt grading system were also developed. This addition characterized the technical level of a practitioner, promoting fair play, in which competitors with similar technical levels compete against each other. These innovative approaches established formal rules for competitions, a structured grading system, and guidelines for the safe practice of the sport. The first refereeing course was taught by Grand Master Hélio Gracie himself at Master Mansor’s academy, the Kioto, in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro.
In June 1973, Jiu-jitsu was legally recognized as a sport in Brazil. In December 1973, the Jiu-jitsu Federation of Guanabara organized its first championship, the “1º Torneio Oficial de Jiu-Jítsu do Brasil,” hosted in Rio de Janeiro at the Athletic Association Bank of Brazil. This marked the beginning of a new era for Jiu-jitsu as a sport.
Later, with the merging of the state of Guanabara with the state of Rio de Janeiro, the FJJG became known as the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of the State of Rio de Janeiro, whose president was Grandmaster Carlos Robson Gracie. One of the first tasks of the FJ-JRIO was to register and certify masters and professors. Since then, the competition rules have been updated, but the vision and structure have remained, and they are now widely used by all federations worldwide.
After its inception as a sport in 1967, BJJ consolidated itself as a worldwide phenomenon, practiced by countless individuals, with thousands of academies and competitions at an international level, with its expressions and even characteristic attire. BJJ goes beyond a martial art: it has become a powerful tool for social and cultural transformation, promoting values such as discipline, respect, brotherhood, growth, and social inclusion. BJJ, a genuinely Brazilian sport, has become a source of national pride, impacting the lives of millions of practitioners who have, throughout the years, been exposed to BJJ through the many practitioners today around the world.
World BJJ Day is celebrated on October 1st, the birthday of Grand Master Hélio Gracie, known as the father of the sport of Jiu-Jitsu, founder of the sport’s first federation, marking its transition from a street fighting and self-defense style to a sport practiced worldwide. Brazil is undoubtedly responsible for most Jiu-Jitsu world champions, according to data from the sport’s international federation, highlighting the country’s relevance as the birthplace and pillar of this sport—having world-renowned athletes and professors, like Carlson Gracie, Rorion Gracie, Carlos Gracie Jr., Rickson Gracie, Royce Gracie, Renzo Gracie, Wallid Ismail, Joe Moreira, Machado Brothers, Nogueira Brothers, Aloisio Silva, Valente Brothers, Romero Jacaré, Ricardo Arona, Roger Gracie, Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, Fabio Gurgel, Andre Perdeneiras, Demian Maia, Charles Oliveira, Gabriela Garcia, Kyra Gracie, Leticia Ribeiro, Leka Vieira, Mackenzie Dern, Andre Galvão, Leo Vieira and many other Brazilian professors who are considered icons of the sport worldwide. These athletes and professors gained international notoriety due to their competition results and helped project Brazil as a powerhouse on the global BJJ scene.
From the author
Recognizing BJJ as a Brazilian cultural sport legitimized its historical and social importance. Today, the sport’s official governing body is the Sport Jiu-Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF), recognized by The Association For International Sport for All (TAFISA—an organization recognized by the Olympic Committee) and the International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (TSG—an organization of UNESCO).
The federation, led by president João Ernani Pinho da Silva, has more than 60 national federations and members in over 80 countries, which together are working to ensure the protection of the history, lineage, and culture of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by keeping track of the sport’s development and by promoting the sport globally. The SJJIF currently has a database of more than 9,000 BJJ academies worldwide, all with a direct lineage to the teachings of Brazilian teachers. The SJJIF organizes the SJJIF Worlds, which attracts more competitors from all over the world, including professionals, amateurs, Parajiu-Jitsu, Deaf Jiu-Jitsu, and Special Jiu-Jitsu athletes, promoting Jiu-Jitsu for everyone. In addition to organizing the sport’s world championship, the federation also reinforces the relevance of BJJ in world games such as The World Police and Fire Games by WPFG, World Traditional Sports and Games, and the 1st TAFISA World Martial Arts Festival, both organized by TAFISA, and the World Martial Arts Games by WMAGC.
In addition to the SJJIF World event and its hundreds of sanctioned events hosted throughout the year, BJJ today boasts significant events and major event organizers such as the IBJJF World Championship with over 10,000 participants, the IBJJF Masters World Championship with over 15,000 participants, and numerous professional competitions – including the CJI Invitational, which attracted 8,000 participants and generated over 100,000 live views on YouTube – highlighting the enormous appeal and relevance of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu worldwide. The creation of Jiu-Jitsu Invitationals through platforms such as UFC Fight Pass and various streaming services has further elevated the visibility of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, showcasing its techniques and global resonance. This rapid growth indicates the widespread appeal of Jiu-Jitsu across diverse demographics and solidifies its existence and potential as an independent sports discipline.
BJJ today is not just a fighting sport; it represents one of Brazil’s most significant sporting and cultural legacies, exposing future Jiujiteiro generations to the genuinely Brazilian traditions of camaraderie, charisma, friendship, brotherhood, social integration, social development, respect, and peace. The term “Jiujiteiros” goes beyond a simple designation; it encapsulates the soul of the sport and its connection to Brazilian culture. Cultural elements such as açaí and flip-flops are deeply rooted in the daily lives of Jiujiteiros worldwide. Phrases that echo among this community capture the essence and philosophy of Jiujiteiros:
· “In Jiu-Jitsu, you never lose. You either win, or you learn.”
· “A white belt is a black belt who never gave up.”
· “Jiu-Jitsu is perfect for humans who are imperfect.”
· “My opponent is my teacher, and my ego is my enemy.”
· “Always assume that your opponent will be bigger, stronger, and faster than you; this will teach you to trust technique, timing, and leverage instead of brute force.”
· “Just like in Jiu-Jitsu, never turn your back on your problems; face them head-on because those who turn their backs get choked.”
· “Don’t compare yourself to others; everyone’s journey in Jiu-Jitsu is unique.”
· “Respect the technique; tap out today and train tomorrow.”
· “Everyone for Jiu-Jitsu equals Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone.”
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was shaped by the Gracie family and uplifted by several Brazilian masters who, over time, fully enriched the sport. Although its evolution is continuous, the regulatory structure created by Grand Master Helio Gracie’s vision and principles of defense and fighting is still alive and relevant within the sport. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a complex sport worthy of independent recognition. With its extensive technical base, structured competitive opportunities, health benefits, rich cultural background, and international reach, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers unparalleled physical and mental challenges.
The SJJIF believes that as the sport evolves, its recognition as an autonomous discipline is critical to further solidifying its position in the contemporary athletic landscape, inspiring future generations to embrace and practice the sport and art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
