Reflections from the Jiu-Jitsu Founders Awards...

The Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation had it's first ever conference and award show yesterday in Long Beach, California. This show gave awards to Jiu-Jitsu's elite competitors, established the initial commissioners of the JJGF and announced exciting developments! It was a who's who of BJJ royalty and it provided me with great MOTIVATION and INSPIRATION for my own future in Jiu-Jitsu instruction and development.
The federation is lead by Jiu-Jitsu icon and hero, Rickson Gracie. I had the honor and privilege of attending this monumental event.
The JJGF will soon be the driving force that organizes the industry and works with the instructors, students, and athletes to put Jiu-Jitsu on top of the martial arts market.
Unifying, NOT dividing As Jiu-Jitsu grew, Jiu-Jitsu divided. So many people in the world know what Jiu-Jitsu is. The art exploded in popularity when the Gracie's showcased the REALITY and EFFECTIVENESS of Jiu-Jitsu to the world.
As it became popularized, the sport started innovating, the principles of the art became misinterpreted by some, and the Self-Defense/Reality started to diminish. This began the "division" of Jiu-Jitsu.
Teams rivalries, politics, championships, and educational opinions, created even DEEPER separation. Jiu-Jitsu has been here since the 80's, but it is still so fresh on our country. Without a plan to follow, we did not know how to grow the art and sport in a way to keep it unified. Now we can evaluate the pros and cons, evaluate the do's and dont's and move forward TOGETHER!
Unifying the art does NOT mean... The death of Jiu-Jitsu events & promotions.
The unification will expand and work WITH the events, NOT against. It is a win-win-win.

• Tournaments can be better structured and more beneficial for the athletes and viewer.
• Jiu-Jitsu Education for academies can be organized and more precise.
• Further globalization of the art will happen even quicker.
• Petty infighting and politics can be resolved or controlled.

The list goes on and on. Rener Gracie made a point at the conference "Research shows that, one tenth of 1% of peoplehave done Jiu-Jitsu." I'm not a math wizard, but that adds up to SEVEN MILLION out of SEVEN BILLION humans. The mission isn't complete!
Self-Defense is the essence of Jiu-Jitsu A Jiu-Jitsu practicioner that has a base/foundation in Self-Defense will have an easier transition into the sport.
Self-Defense practice and training not only reaches a more massive audience and market, but it develops a mindset of safety, control, and efficiency, that can be applied to become a more effective competitor. For example, if the student learns from DAY ONE the importance of taking somebody down...when they enter sport, it will be ingrained deeply into them.
" A low percentage of my students compete."- 99% of the Jiu-Jitsu instructors in the world
Have you ever had a student walk in and say they wanted to be a world champion in Jiu-Jitsu?
No?! Some of you may have said yes. We do encounter this in rare cases, but most people come in to "try" Jiu-Jitsu. At some point, they might want to "try" competing. If their base is Self-Defense and solid fundamentals, they will have a much safer, efficient, and effective approach to competing.
Self-Defense provides empowerment. "Rolling and Sparring" develops mastery. A combination of the two = invincibility.
We need a leaderMy opinion is different from the next persons opinion. However; one thing remains a fact, Rickson Gracie is on top of the "Jiu-Jitsu mountain". He is the embodiment of what Jiu-Jitsu is.
Human beings are creatures of social desire and social infrastructure. This is why we have, presidents, mayors, governors, professors, etc.
Jiu-Jitsu needs...

• A leader who's vision is to expand and enhance EVERY ASPECT of the art.
• A leader that wants to unify the sport to be more organized and marketable.
• A leader who has walked the walk.
• A leader that has a deep understanding of Jiu-Jitsu's, principles, philosophies, and techniques and can create more effectiveness in curriculum.

Answer = Rickson Gracie
If we are to push Jiu-Jitsu into the mainstream, we need unification. We need to delegate a leader. We need to continue developing and ask ourselvesHONEST questions.

1. Judo became a sport.
2. Tae Kwon Do became a sport.
3. Jiu-Jitsu became a sport...

Do you want what happened to them to be what happens to us? At the end of the day, we are not much different and if we don't do something now, we will go down the same road as those two sports.
>>>> If you don't understand who or what the JJGF is, go to www.JJGF.com and learn more about the federation.
This is NOT just "another" federation, it is a movement to progress, enhance, and unify us together.
Eddie Fyvie - #MadeByJiuJitsu and dedicated to impacting lives through Jiu-Jitsu education and practice!