ROBERTO ATALA 3X TIME WORLD CHAMPION WILL BE TEACHING IN BARCELONA THIS WEEKEND, 4 AND 5 NOVEMBER 2006. MORE INFO:http://riograpplingclub.wordpress.com/
Brazilian JIU-JITSU is a martial art and combat sport that teaches a smaller person how to defend himself against a larger adversary by using leverage and proper technique. The Gracie family, the founders of Brazilian JIU-JITSU , modified judo and traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu to create the art. It contains stand-up maneuvers, but it is most famous for its devastating ground-fighting techniques. Gaining superior positioning so one can apply the styles numerous chokes, holds, locks and joint manipulations on an opponent is the key in Brazlian jiu-jitsu. Brazilian jiu-jitsu roots began in the early 1900s. Esai Maeda, the chief of a Japanese immigration colony who was assigned to Brazil, befriended Gastao Gracie. Maeda, a former jiu-jitsu champion in Japan, taught the art to Gracies son, Carlos. In 1925, Carlos and his four brothers opened the first jiu-jitsuschool in Brazil. Carlos younger brother, Helio, adjusted the techniques to suit his small frame, and thereby created Brazilian jiu-jitsu. In the early 80s, Helios son, Rorion, planted the seeds of BJJ in the United States, where the art has become immensely popular.