As you’re well aware, the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, are currently underway. The best athletes from all over the world are competing against each other. Over the course of 19 days, these athletes will compete in over 40 Olympic sport disciplines and over 300 events. That means 136 medals for women, 161 for men and 9 mixed medals.
But one type of martial arts is currently not on the official Olympic sports list, and that’s BJJ. Will our sport ever be a part of the Games? What we found might surprise you. If you’re getting tired of traditional karate classes in Raleigh, call Gracie today. We can give you a new challenge.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics
Even though the current games are being held in the birth place of BJJ, our sport is not even included on the exhibition list this year. One would think it would be the perfect opportunity to gain global recognition and attention. However, that it is just not the case. There are a few reasons why BJJ is not an Olympic sport, and here’s what the experts are saying.
Judo
When you trace back the history of jiu jitsu, it seems that BJJ is a subset of judo. Since Judo is already an Olympic sport, BJJ will probably not be added anytime soon. The main reason is because the IOC, or International Olympic Committee, does not allow derivative sports.
Not Enough Global Popularity
To be an Olympic sport, it must have a global following of sorts. It cannot be dominated by just one country, or only have a following in a few countries. Overall, only Brazil, Japan, and the United States have enough legit black belts to even compete for medals. Unfortunately, our sport just does not have the global following that other sports have. That being said, BJJ specifically is a young sport. It wasn’t until the early 1990’s that BJJ gained any global popularity.
No Single Governing Committee
Another big issue is that there is not one single governing body, or one set of official rules. This one is pretty much the nail in the coffin, as it’s the tip requirement for qualification to be an Olympic sport. Currently, the IBJJF, or International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, has taken the lead. Unfortunately, the IBJJF has yet to reach the same levels as the International Judo Federation, which has been around since 1951.
However, all of this being said, there is no reason for you to give up on your BJJ training. There’s several national and international competitions that you can attend. BJJ also makes a great foundation for training in judo as well. So if you aspire to be an Olympic athlete one day, don’t give up and keep training. If you’re looking for a new challenge in martial arts, keep reading to see how Gracie can help.
Need Something Challenging Besides Karate Classes in Raleigh NC? Try Gracie Jiu Jitsu!
If you’re interested in changing your lifestyle for the better, call Gracie Raleigh. We do not offer traditional karate classes in Raleigh. However, we are the best MMA, self defense, jiu jitsu, and muay thai gym in the Triangle! Training at our gym will help you build up your confidence by teaching you real techniques that will work in self defense situations. You’ll love the fact that you’ll be able to defend yourself, and your loved ones, from attackers without weapons. So if you’re ready to try something besides karate, give us a call.
Gracie Raleigh offers free classes for beginners so you can try without worrying about a commitment. For more information, please call us today!