What is Sport Jujitsu and where did it come from?
Jujitsu, one of the oldest Japanese martial
arts, can trace back its origins over 2,000 years. Samurai warriors
used jujitsu's empty-hand techniques for combat. Traditionally, jujitsu was
practiced as a self defense art
believed too lethal to ever become a viable sport because of the high risk of
injury. Yet, today, with slight
modifications, jujitsu has entered a new arena. Sport Jujitsu, although
relatively new, has quickly become a
popular sport throughout the world.
Sport Jujitsu transcends other forms of martial arts competition because it
encompasses all fighting ranges.
For example although a fighter may become a world champion in Tae kwon do,
karate, judo, or kick boxing,
unless he is versatile and can blend principles from all four systems, he will
not be a successful Sport Jujitsu
competitor. Sport Jujitsu challenges fighters not only to develop hand and foot
speed, but also to have the
versatility and skill to go into grappling using take-downs and submissions.
The art of jujitsu consist of five major elements; Ukemi waza (break falling
technique), Nage waza (throwing
technique), Katame waza (grappling technique), Atemi waza (striking technique)
and Katsu waza (revival
technique). Many styles of Japanese karate that are primarily striking arts
have their roots in jujitsu, yet they
call their competition “Sport Karate” not “Sport Jujitsu.” Judo and Aikido
which are primarily grappling arts
also have their roots in jujitsu. While judo has its roots in jujitsu, a judo
tournament is not called “Sport
Jujitsu.” Therefore a competition that consists of only strikes without
grappling is not true sport jujitsu
because it is missing a very important element of jujitsu (grappling) which
makes it more like a point karate
tournament. Also a tournament which consists of only grappling and no striking
cannot legitimately be called
sport jujitsu because it too is missing a very important element of jujitsu.
Without strikes it is only a grappling
tournament or often called submission wrestling. A true sport jujitsu
tournament represents the art’s totality
and consists of all the physical elements.
Sport Jujitsu competition is not exclusively for jujitsu practitioners; the
rules have been designed for the
spectator as well as the competitor and intend to be fair for all players
regardless of style. There are four
levels of competition in sport jujitsu and they are; Kyu ranks (under black
belt), black belt, amateur full-contact
and professional full-contact. Players in the kyu rank and black belt
semi-contact competition are awarded
points as follows; 1 point for a crisp clean technique to the body (full-contact
to the body in black belt
divisions), 2 points for a controlled kick to the head (light contact to the
head in black belt divisions), 2 points
for a half-throw, 3 points for a full throw and a submission is an automatic win
(see the full-contact segment
for rules and regulations of this level).
Each sport jujitsu match consists of two 2-minute rounds with 30 seconds
grappling time once players go to
the ground. Many argue that a time limit on the ground makes the competition
unrealistic because studies
show 90% of all street altercations go to the ground. However, studies also
show that less than 9% last
longer than 30 seconds once they do go to the ground. Therefore sport jujitsu
forces a competitor to learn
how to finish more quickly which in turn is more realistic than having an
unlimited amount of time to finish your
opponent.
Sport jujitsu is unique in that a world championship hosted every two years is
recognized by nearly every
major jujitsu organization in the world. The
International Sport Jujitsu Association
(ISJA) is considered the
governing body for sport jujitsu through out the world and currently has teams
from five continents
participating as members. There are currently thousands of martial artist around
the world participating in
sport jujitsu events. Anyone interested in representing their country in
international competition must first be
a member of their own countries National Governing Body (NGB) and become active
on their sport jujitsu
tournament circuit. For example, the United States Sport Jujitsu Association
(USSJA) represents the US as a
member of the ISJA and acts as the governing body for sport jujitsu in the
United States.
A Brief History of Sport Jujitsu & Major Events
1977 Hawaii:
Professor James Muro of California hosted the first recorded tournament using
rules similar to
today's Sport Jujitsu in Hawaii. Five teams participated in that tournament
including teams from mainland USA
and Canada. The Canadian contingent was led by Ron Forrester and Bob Krantz.
1984 Ontario, Canada:
1st World Council Of Jujitsu Organizations (WCJO) World Championships hosted
by
Ron Forrester. Rules
did not include grappling.
1986 Leeds, England:
2nd WCJO World Jujitsu Championships, hosted by Colin Whitaker.
The new concepts of tournament competition proposed by Professor Maynard were
denied. Rules
in this
tournament did not include grappling.
1988 Brisbane, Australia:
3rd WCJO World Jujitsu Championships, hosted by Peter McAnallen.
Rules did not
include grappling.
1989 North Carolina, USA:
Can-Am American Ju-Jitsu Association Tournament hosted in North Carolina by
Professor
Tony Maynard
of Kernersville, NC. A new concept of "continuous action" was introduced by Mr.
Maynard. Fighters also had the opportunity for throws, takedowns and limited
“ground” mat work. Some still
believed that joint locks could not be done safely in a continuos action
sparring format without injury.
Eric Latza
proved it could be done when he followed up a round kick, took his opponent down
and submitted
him with an armbar, without injury. This was crucial in pushing Mr. Maynard's
movement forward.
1990 North Carolina, USA:
4th WCJO World Jujitsu Championships, hosted by Professor Tony Maynard. Mr.
Maynard proposed once again that the WCJO adopt new rules which would include
mat work, but only the
continuous action aspect was accepted. At this event the USA got it's first
World Champion in sport jujitsu
and a new driving force behind the sport, Ernie Boggs. Together Boggs and Prof.
Maynard began to make
significant gains in introducing their new jujitsu tournament concept.
1990 Kernersville, NC. USA:
The United States Ju-Jitsu Association was established by Tony Maynard, Ernie
Boggs, Eric Latza, HP Henry, Mickey Heath, Mike Watkins, Wendy Watkins and Brian
Hebert.
1991 Bophuthatswana (Bop), South Africa:
An American contingent made up of Professor Wally Jay,
Professor Tony Maynard, and world champion Ernie Boggs and liaison, Lonnie
Calhoun traveled to South Africa
to introduce the sport. They were hosted by Herman Kordom of Bophuthatswana (now
part of South Africa).
During this trip the group demonstrated and taught the ancient art as well as
the new sport of jujitsu. This
event was televised by the British broadcasting network, BBC. Nelson Mandela
had just been released from
prison and the partied still in existence but the brotherhood of martial artist
prevailed and together they
successfully established the new jujitsu format in South Africa.
1991 Mar Del Plata, Argentina:
Ernie Boggs and Craig Oxley are invited to South America to participate in
special bouts against Argentina’s World Champions, Daniel Gimenez and Claudio
Palumbo. In these bouts a
new jujitsu fighting format was introduced and overwhelmingly received. These
matches consisted of full-
contact striking, throws and (limited) ground work with three ways to win,
knockout, submission or decision.
It was there in Mar Del Plata that the format for the future professional
knockout level was born.
1991 Santa Cruz, California, USA:
Tony Maynard and Ernie Boggs along with up and coming fighter, Craig
Oxley demonstrated their tournament format to the west coast at Camp Danzan Ryu.
It was at this camp that
many of the traditional jujitsu masters were convinced that jujitsu could have a
sporting aspect without losing
the virtues of the art. Before returning to the east coast the new format
gained the support of Jujitsu America
(JA) and the American Jujitsu Association (AJA). The three major concerns were;
the safety of the competitors,
the virtues of the art (good sportsmanship & proper etiquette was a must) and
that the difference between
sport and art be remembered. Later, during a meeting with Prof. Wally Jay,
Prof. Maynard, Prof. Willy Cahill
(former Olympic Judo Coach), Craig Oxley and Ernie Boggs the question of “what
do we call this new sport”
came up. All previously recorded jujitsu world championships all around the
world were called World Jujitsu
Championships, excluding the term “sport.” Ernie Boggs suggested the new format
be called “sport jujitsu”
just as the art of karate has adopted the term “sport karate.” It was agreed by
all present and the term
sport jujitsu was coined.
1992 Mar del Plata, Argentina:
5th WCJO World Jujitsu Championships hosted by Cesar Negri. Rules
did not
include grappling.
1993 West Virginia, USA:
BCI Sport jujitsu Nationals promoted by Ernie Boggs and Graciela Casillas-Boggs.
Sport Jujitsu received international recognition using a format that included
mat work. A special team
competition was held between Team USA and Team Canada. Team Canada was once
again led by Bob Krantz
of Ontario. This is the first recorded jujitsu event to include the term “sport
jujitsu.”
1994 West Virginia, USA:
BCI Sport Jujitsu Nationals promoted by the Boggs' draws over 800 competitors.
A new format was introduced on an international level utilizing three categories
of competition: Self-Defense,
Grappling, and Free Style Fighting. Although this was a national event
participants came from as far away as
Argentina, Canada, and Sweden to experience the new format.
1995 Auckland, New Zealand:
6th WCJO World Jujitsu Championships, hosted by Steve Heremaia. Rules did
not include grappling. After a protest by Team USA, Ernie Boggs was allowed to
demonstrate his vision of
what sport jujitsu rules for world class athletes should be. The WCJO denied
them.
1995 Raroatonga, Cook Islands:
Ernie Boggs along with his wife Graciela Casillas and Craig Oxley
introduced the Sport Jujitsu fighting format to the Cook Islands. The island of
Raroatonga established a team
and is expected to compete in World Competition.
1995 USA:
It is decided that sport jujitsu move forward with all necessary changes needed
to make it a
legitimate jujitsu competition fair to all competitors regardless of their
style. So, a new world organization to
govern Sport Jujitsu was formed by Ernie Boggs (USA), Tony Maynard (USA), Bob
Krantz (Canada), Andrew
Dickinson (Australia), Uzi Mandel (Israel), Norio Imai (Japan), Jedan Figueroa
(Puerto Rico), Tom Mullins (Great
Britain), Claudio Palumbo (Argentina), and Terry Evans (New Zealand). This
organization is called the
International Sport Jujitsu Association (ISJJA) and is currently comprised of 26
countries. The Professor
Wally Jay Cup was established by this group as the premiere award to be given to
the ISJA world champion
team. Any country who could win this cup three times consecutively earns the
right to keep it and a new Prof.
Wally Jay Cup will replace it.
1996 West Virginia, USA:
September 21 & 22, the ISJA held it’s first Sport Jujitsu World Championships
in
West Virginia. The event was hosted by sport jujitsu pioneer, Ernie Boggs and
boxing/kick boxing legend,
Graciela Casillas-Boggs. Sixteen countries were represented with more than
1,200 competitors participating
making this the largest Sport Jujitsu tournament in history. Special guest and
dignitaries included, Professor
Wally Jay, Don "the dragon" Wilson,
Sijo James
DeMile,
Grand master Bobby Taboada, Prof. Tony Maynard,
Professor Phil Porter, Master Norio Imai and Prof. Bob Krantz. Team USA wins
the gold, Team Great Britain
wins the silver and Team Canada the bronze in the team fighting competition.
1996 Tokyo, Japan:
Ernie Boggs was invited to Japan to demonstrate Sport Jujitsu. Boggs along
with Craig
Oxley appeared on Japanese television introducing Sport Jujitsu to the Japanese
public for the first time. ISJA
international delegate, Norio Imai and the legendary, master Aso Hidetake
organized the Japan Sport Jujitsu
Association (JSJA). Andrew Dickinson of Australia was also very instrumental in
the introduction of Sport
Jujitsu to Japan.
1997 Waikiki, Hawaii:
Ronald Ogi hosted the 80th birthday celebration of Professor Wally Jay. The
theme of
this celebration was Sport Jujitsu and it was highlighted by two Professional
full-contact World Title bouts
where Craig Oxley defeated Tommy Lam & Ben Brotherton defeated Sheldon Takuda to
retain their world
titles. The professional level of Sport Jujitsu was now recognized world wide
as a viable sport. During a USJJA
meeting it was decided that the USSJA name be changed to contain the term sport.
So the United States
Sport Jujitsu Association (USSJA) became the new name for the governing body of
sport jujitsu in the USA.
Graciela Casillas-Boggs served as President, Wendy Watkins Vice President,
Debbie Wolfingbarger (Myers)
Secretary and Greg Patton Treasure. Legendary martial artist,
James DeMile
took over as the USSJA west
coast director.
1998 Vancouver, Canada:
Martial arts author and kung fu master, John Funk promoted the ISJA Sport
Jujitsu World Championships along with his already established Tiger Balm
Internationals. With over 3,000
competitors this became and is still known as the largest sport jujitsu event in
history. Team Japan led by
Hidetaka Aso, Team Poland led by
Tomaz Guzman
and Team Brazil led by
Ricardo Morganti
made their sport
jujitsu debut at this event.
Team USA wins the gold, Team Great Britain wins the silver and Team Australia
the bronze.
2000 Leeds, England:
ISJA Sport jujitsu World Championships, hosted by Tom Mullins and
Team USA wins the gold for the third consecutive time and the first country to
earn the right to keep the Prof.
Wally Jay Cup. Team Great Britain once again took the silver and Team Brazil the
bronze.
2002 South Africa:
ISJA Sport Jujitsu World Championships, hosted by Jaques and Magda Kitshoff.
Due to
the tragic 9-1-1 attacks on the USA just one year earlier, Team USA was unable
to attend this event. It was
South Africa’s first Jujitsu World Championships and considered one of the most
well-ran sport jujitsu events
to date. Team Brazil won the gold, Team Australia the silver and Team South
Africa the bronze. Ricardo
Morganti from Brazil becomes the new ISJA chairman.
{No photos available}
2004 Sao Paulo, Brazil:
ISJA Sport Jujitsu World Championships, hosted by Master Ricardo Morganti in Sao
Paulo, Brazil. Team USA returns to the sport jujitsu arena and although the team
lacked competition
experience it found itself in the finals with Team Brazil. Team Brazil is now
the team to beat with two
consecutive world championship gold medals. Team USA won the silver and Team
Australia wins bronze.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The November 1993 issue of Inside Karate
magazine did the first feature story on Sport Jujitsu referring to it
as “The
Challenge of the 90’s.”
In that same magazine another feature story focused on an extraordinary
event that was about to take place called “The Ultimate Fighting Championship.”
November 12, 1993
– The International Fighting Council, W.O.W. Promotions, and Semaphore
Entertainment
Group produced the first Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC-1). The event was
held in Denver, Colorado
and would change the way martial artist approached hand to hand combat around
the world. Backed with
the necessary funding that secured a pay-per-view event, millions of people were
exposed to the art of jiu-
jitsu as well as its lethality in reality fighting for the very first time. The
Gracie’s seemingly unbeatable style of
jiu-jitsu turned strikers into grapplers overnight and the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
craze was born. Although jujitsu
tournaments had already been around for many years the format concentrated more
on traditional Kata and
did not focus on a fighting format. Many traditional jujitsu masters believed
jujitsu was too lethal to ever
become a viable sport. However, there were other jujitsu masters who not only
believed that it could be
done but it was imperative if the art of jujitsu was to continue to grow. Here
in the United States jujitsu
legends, such as Professor Wally Jay, Professor Sig Kuferath, and Professor
James Muro did believe that a
tournament fighting format could be developed for jujitsu stylist. There major
concern was that the
tournament formats never lose touch with the virtues of the art itself. They did
not like what they saw on
many of the karate circuits, players being disrespectful towards officials and
unsportsmanlike conduct towards
other players. The jujitsu community around the world had a sense of respect for
each other regardless of
their traditional background. Most of the jujitsu masters that did support the
sporting aspect did not want the
art to fall victim to the same type of corruption and chaos that seemed to be
dividing the karate community at
the time.
Meanwhile, the UFC seemed to be the only true
way of testing ones fighting style against another…
However, there was another, Ernie Boggs (West Virginia) and Professor Tony
Maynard (North Carolina) had
been working diligently together since 1988 to devise a tournament fighting
format that would be fair for all
martial arts systems. They wanted a more realistic means of testing one’s
martial arts fighting skills but in a
safe manner. In 1991 Boggs, Professor Maynard and Craig Oxley introduced this
new fighting format at a
martial arts camp in northern California hosted by Jujitsu America. At that
time the only other martial art circuit
that men, women and children were competing on grand scale was karate. It was
after that camp that Boggs
suggested over dinner to Professor Jay, Professor Cahill, and Professor Maynard
that they call this new format
“Sport Jujitsu.” After all the karate circuit was known as sport karate, thus
the term sport jujitsu was coined.
September of 1993
(2 months before the first UFC) Ernie Boggs and Graciela Casillas promoted the
BCI Sport
Jujitsu Nationals in West Virginia. Unlike the UFC that had the financial
backing needed to expose a new sport
this event was practically a no budget show. Nonetheless it was the first mixed
martial arts tournament in the
United States that utilized kick, punch, throws and submission grappling on an
organized level. This
tournament was open to men, women and children of all ages and rank. A special
team competition between
Team USA and Team Canada was also included to introduce the format on an
international level. Team
Canada was led by Bob Krantz of Ontario who was also a jujitsu visionary in his
own right, looking for the
perfect fighting format. This was the first recorded jujitsu event to include
the term “sport jujitsu.” Before this
event jujitsu tournaments were referred to as just that, jujitsu or jiu-jitsu
tournaments. The World Council of
Jiu-jitsu Organizations (WCJO) called their bi-annual championships the WCJO
World Jiu-jitsu Championships.
Others included the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu World Championships, European World
Jujitsu Championships, etc. None
included the term sport.
Two months later the UFC would rock the world
with its pay-per-view event, as Royce Gracie proved without a
doubt that “if size meant everything cows would out run rabbits” by defeating
opponents three time his own
size. Gracie Jiu-jitsu was put on the global map as the art to study, the UFC as
the event to watch and Rorion
Gracie, his vision was now a reality.
1994 West Virginia, USA:
The 2nd BCI Sport Jujitsu Nationals promoted by Boggs and Casillas drew over
800 competitors. A new format was introduced on an international level
utilizing three categories of
competition: Self-Defense, Grappling, and Free Style Fighting. Although this
was a national event
participants came from as far away as Argentina, Canada, Denmark and Sweden to
experience the new
format. Although it still did not have the financial support needed to blow it
up like the UFC, sport jujitsu was
quickly gaining popularity around the world.
The UFC was a no-nonsense, full-contact reality
based format mostly made up of giants, heroes and the
occasional thug. Blood, guts and glory to crown the ultimate fighter was its
call to fame. No weight class, no
safety equipment, no time limits, very little rules and an octagon cage that
implied no escape enticed the
public’s curiosity. The challenge for all martial artists to test style against
style was its lure. Kick boxing (a
mixed martial art - aka mma) has been around many years longer than the UFC,
however, the majority of
people today immediately visualize a UFC type event when they hear the words,
mixed martial arts. The UFC
was the first of its kind in reality fighting causing an explosion of literally
dozens of other mixed martial arts
organizations trying to duplicate the success and popularity. Jujitsu black
belts as well as grappling schools
suddenly appeared every where but the king of the hill was Gracie Jiu-jitsu.
Rorion Gracie’s selling point was
that 90% of all real fights go to the ground. Statistics did show just that and
the grappling arts were at an all
time high with Brazilian Jiu-jitsu schools practically out numbering 7-Elevens
over night.
Although there is a professional full-contact level in Sport Jujitsu, Boggs
insisted the sport cater to all martial
artist (men, women & children) with divisions ranging from 6 years old and under
to 50 and over. Rules were
in place to assure the safety of each competitor and they (rules) vary slightly
in different age groups and
experience level. All competitors must wear protective gear and matches consist
of two or more 2-minute
rounds. Perhaps the most controversial rule was the 30 second time limit on the
ground once fighters go to
the ground. Boggs said the rules were designed to be fair for all styles and
that allowing any more than 30
seconds ground fighting in a 2-minute round would give the grappler an unfair
advantage. His selling point
was that statistics do show 90% of all real fights go to the ground but they
also show less than 12% of real
life altercations last longer than 30 seconds once they go to the ground. He
believed that 2 minute rounds
would call for fast paced action that would force players to be well rounded and
much more entertaining to
the average spectator.
1995 USA:
It is decided that sport jujitsu move forward with all necessary requirements
needed to finally
solidify a legitimate jujitsu competition fair to all competitors regardless of
their style. So, a new world
organization to govern Sport Jujitsu was formed by Ernie Boggs (USA), Tony
Maynard (USA), Bob Krantz
(Canada), Andrew Dickinson (Australia), Uzi Mandel (Israel), Norio Imai (Japan),
Jedan Figueroa (Puerto Rico),
Tom Mullins (Great Britain), Daniel Gimenez (Argentina), and Terry Evans (New
Zealand). This organization is
called the
International Sport Jujitsu Association
(ISJA) and today is comprised of 26 countries. The
Professor Wally Jay Cup was established by this group as the premiere award to
be given to the ISJA world
champion team. Any country who can win this cup three times consecutively earns
the right to keep it and a
new Prof. Wally Jay Cup will replace it for the next ISJA World Championship.
The United States Sport Jujitsu
Association
(USSJA) was also formed at this time to represent the United States as a member
of the
International Sport Jujitsu Association. The USSJA was to be the governing body
for sport jujitsu in the USA
void of politics, solely responsible to assure fair play and equal opportunity
for all athletes regardless of their
traditional style or organization. In the beginning the USSJA was acting as an
umbrella organization for nearly
every major jujitsu association in the country.
1996 West Virginia, USA:
September 21 & 22, the ISJA held it’s first Sport Jujitsu World Championships
in
West Virginia. The event was hosted by sport jujitsu pioneer, Ernie Boggs and
boxing/kick boxing legend,
Graciela Casillas. Sixteen countries were represented with more than 1,200
competitors participating making
this not only the largest Sport Jujitsu tournament ever done but the very first
mixed martial arts event using
kick, punch, throw and submission-grappling internationally on an organized
level. Special guest and
dignitaries included, Professor Wally Jay, Don "the dragon" Wilson, Sijo James
DeMile, Grand master Bobby
Taboada, Prof. Tony Maynard, Professor Phil Porter, Master Norio Imai and Prof.
Bob Krantz.
This event produced the spark that ignited an international explosion that
earned Sport Jujitsu the recognition
as the fastest growing martial sport in the world at that time, with the ISJA
growing from its original nine
founding countries to more than two dozen.
Like the success of the UFC, the success of ISJA Sport Jujitsu was also the
spring board for other
organizations to be formed, many of which claimed authority over the sport
itself. Even more martial arts
instructors suddenly informed their students that they too held jujitsu black
belts. Some organizations were
twining and selling jujitsu rank as fast as the certificates could be printed
and before you knew it everyone
was an expert. Like sport or point karate of the late 70’s and throughout the
80’s, it seems sport jujitsu has
now fallen prey to a similar power struggle where everyone claims to be in
charge. The original Sport Jujitsu
competition was created by a group of open-minded individuals who welcomed all
martial artists the
opportunity to participate in a sport that was owned by the players and not any
one organization. The
original pioneers of sport jujitsu believed that no person, country, or style
had a monopoly on knowledge and
that choosing a martial arts style was a matter of personality and making it
work for you was a matter of
dedication.
Here in the United States; Sport Jujitsu in its original form has hit an all
time low in tournament promotions.
Many believe this is because of the hundreds of new mixed martial arts and
jujitsu organizations that now
exist. Due to the vast difference in rules used by these new groups as well as
the bias and prejudicial feelings
often portrayed towards each other chaotic best describes the situation. Because
of this confusion many
State Athletic Commissions have banned mixed martial arts events all together
with others only allowing a
select few to promote such events. Creating a stink of corruption and favoritism
in a sport that originally was
created in hopes of avoiding all the political garbage. However, Sport Jujitsu
in its original form continues to
flourish outside the United States with martial artist on four continents
following the same rule book that was
written by Ernie Boggs. For this alone Boggs is considered by many to be among
one of the world’s most
influential martial artist of the 90’s.
The UFC has persevered and stands alone as king of the hill in reality fighting
with millions of fans world wide.
But not before it too added weight classes, safety equipment, time limits, and
additional rules. The Gracie
legacy lives on as many consider Royce Gracie to be one of the world’s most
influential martial artists of all
time!
In recent months the USSJA and many of its founding members have received
hundreds of email inquiring
about the current status and requesting the return of the original sport jujitsu
format. Many martial artist
have traveled great distances with their students to participate in what was
promoted as a sport jujitsu
tournament only to be disappointed when the rules as well as the atmosphere was
not what they expected.
One letter in particular, asks
“will the real sport jujitsu please stand up?”
This overwhelming concern and
renewed sense of interest has caused the USSJA to embark on a mission to restore
the integrity of sport
jujitsu here in the United States. Its primary objective will be to reunite the
traditional jujitsu family who once
supported its cause and believed that there can be a sporting aspect of jujitsu
without losing touch with the
virtues of the art.