 |
 |
|
|
|
| Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | |
| Founder: | 
Carlos Gracie |
| Synopsis: |
As the name suggests Brazilian jiu-jitsu is from Brazil. Notable progenitors and fervent practitioners of this style are the Gracie family, who also founded the Ultimate Fighting Championship to prove their worth, or rather Royce Gracie did.
How much Maeda actually taught Carlos is a mystery and debatable, as the span of time in which he was taught was at minimum 2 years, but most likely didn’t exceed 4. During this period of time Maeda was also involved in other areas of Brazil and traveled a lot, therefore the amount of knowledge actually passed on can’t have been too great. Nonetheless Carlos opened his own school in 1925 and he and his brothers continued to train in jiu-jitsu and adapting it to MMA-style challenge matches, much like Maeda had done to create his own unique flavor of jiu-jitsu. This left them largely on their own and therefore gave them almost complete freedom as to which techniques to include and exclude from their style, but unrestricted by a sociological or other doctrine they based their syllabus on effectiveness, rather than that specific doctrine. The way it accomplishes techniques revolves around efficiency, just like ‘old school’ jiu-jitsu. Using efficient technique, using as little force as possible, to achieve maximum result. Be it an armbar, a rear-naked choke or an ankle-lock, they have this idea in common. Then again, BJJ (as it is usually called) is more than just cranking someone’s head off. The sport is also a way of life, introducing nutritional and health information, loyalty, teamwork and feeling good about yourself. (Synopsis courtesy of Rathryn Ramos) |
| Videos: | |
----
|
|
| Boxing | |
| Synopsis: |
Victory can be determined by knock out, a fighter being unable to continue or defend themselves, or by point system. Popular champions include John L. Sullivan, Jack Dempsey, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, & George Foreman. |
| Videos: |
|
----
|
|
| Capoeira | |
| Synopsis: |
It was forbidden in Brazil from 1810, with music not being introduced until the 1830s, either by longshoremen and sailors to make their game more fun or by other players to be able to disguise their martial art as a dance. Whichever of the two reasons it was, it added a new element to the art: rhythm and this became increasingly important as time passed on. What didn’t change however was the reputation of capoeira as a thug’s game, due to the large number of thugs employing the art as an extortion method in Rio de Janeiro and corrupt politicians using it as leverage to get more voters. This also meant that the style was a lot different from today’s style, one of the styles back then was Carioca (or ‘Born in Rio’), kicks were not aimed at the head but at the body and punches and finger strikes to the eye were used a lot more. Furthermore weapons were used, including canes, sticks and straight razors. Paradoxically it is also the first style to be introduced to the Brazilian military as a manual, though by law it was still illegal. Mestre Bimba changed this when he became a famous capoeirista who used the martial style to fight and win against jujutsuka, judoka and boxers. He opened the first school in Brazil, while the style was still illegal and he was the first mestre (master) of a non-military school, instructing white men, due to his intelligence and reputation. This also increased the reputation of capoeira as a whole, eventually. He was intelligent enough to stress the style’s Brazilian, rather than its African roots and he set up a new teaching system. The system up until then had been based upon ‘monkey see, monkey do’ where newcomers try to imitate more experienced players, mestre Bimba decided to take a more school-like approach by taking beginners aside and teaching them increasingly difficult techniques. Though with capoeira still being illegal he gave it a different name: ‘Luta Regional Bahiana’. But a rose by any other name… And people knew it was still the same rose, so they referred to it as: ‘Capoeira Regional’. During the 1930s Brazil was ruled by a nationalist fascist by the name of Getulio Vargas, who saw potential marketability for capoeira and legalized it to some extent. During the 1970s the style underwent attempts by a military government to become a standardized sport and obtained a belt-structure similar to that seen in karate, judo and other Asian styles. Though there are a set of different organizations and doctrines, there is no real standard and thus the ranking systems differ slightly and the approached differ slightly as well. (Synopsis courtesy of Rathryn Ramos) |
| Related Articles: | |
| Videos: | |
----
|
|
| Central Prison | |
| Synopsis: |
Also known as squabblin, scufflin, prison style, central prison is a street-fighting style descendant from African slave martial artists - who taught each other their respective skills in secret – and the suddenly free and vagrant slaves of the American south – who taught each other their respective skills not only in secret, but also in prison. The style has five different bodily weapons, the head, hands, elbows, knees and kicks (performed using the shin or heel), but also employs a straight razor for personal protection. Kicks are mainly used as off-balancing techniques, while the hands work in a street boxing style, while utilizing the open hand, fist and fingers in attacks. Knees are used to guard and to attack the head, ribs, stomach and legs; while the elbows guard and attack the head, neck, chest, back, ribs, kidneys, stomach and legs. Furthermore the style includes some grappling in the form of chokeholds (such as the half and full Nelson), arm twists, wrist locks and several body slams and scoops. It is related to several other black American martial arts, as stated above, but it should be stated that it also differs from these, though it is thought that these styles contributed to the amalgamation that is central prison. Similarly, it is thought that the original styles were secluded from the mainstream into small communities where the style wasn’t taught to outsiders. (Synopsis courtesy of Rathryn Ramos) |
----
|
|
| Comba-Tai | |
| Synopsis: |
More of a philosophical train of thought, than an actual martial art Comba-Tai incorporates S.T.A.R. (Strength, Timing, Agility and Resourcefulness) and Christian beliefs into it’s doctrine to help people get the most out of themselves, not only in martial arts, but in all walks of life. However it also preaches that whoever trains in Comba-Tai should give back to the community. The martial aspect is said to derive from Ethiopia, like all martial arts are said to be descended from Africa according to Comba-Tai practitioners. However, it was merely the seed that came from Ethiopia in the form of the doctrine, while the actual martial aspect came to fruition in America, where Ethiopian refugees settled. One reason for belief that Comba-Tai came from Ethiopia is the stance, which is reminiscent to Nuba fighting stances, developed for use with the sword and shield. (Synopsis courtesy of Rathryn Ramos) |
----
|
|
| Pankration | |
| Synopsis: |
Pankration is an ancient Greek martial art that has been reconstructed in modern times. There is conjecture that Eastern martial arts owe a great deal to this art. It is believed that this art found its way into China via India where it may have been learned from Greek Armies. Pankration includes stand up fighting, take downs and ground fighting. |
| Videos: |
|
----
|
|
| Sambo | |
| Related Articles: | |
| Videos: | |
----
|
|
| Savate | |
| Synopsis: | Savate is a French martial art utilizing punches and kicks. |
| Related Articles: | |
| Videos: | |
----
|
|
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only. The owners and performers do not endorse, warranty, guarantee, or make any claims concerning the safety or effectiveness of any techniques illustrated herein.
Copyright © 2006-2008 by Warrior Pages, LLC. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement.
But
what less people know is that the style was developed by Carlos Gracie
after he was taught a portion of original jiu-jitsu by a Japanese man,
Maeda, but adapted it due to lack of physical strength. The outcome is a
system revolving around groundwork and submissions, most notable of
which are the chokes. The style, as such, is pretty recent; it was
founded in the beginning of the 19th century.
Western Boxing,
also known as the sweet science or noble art, began in ancient Greece.
Originally there were very few standardized rules and those were usually decided bout
by bout or locally. Matches could be very brutal and dangerous. Eventually, rules began to be standardized
culminating in the Marquess of Queensberry rules set forth in 1867.
Western
Boxing has evolved into strictly a stand up affair using only the fists
with no strikes allowed below the belt. Protective devices include
gloves, helmets and groin protectors. Helmets are not worn at the
professional level, and at all levels boxers are divided into weight classes.
Capoeira is a Brazilian art, but the
origins and the exact meaning of the word are shrouded in mystery.
Capoeira is a lot of things, including a martial arts form and therefore
practitioners refer to themselves as players, rather than fighters.
“Capoeira is a game, not a fight”, they say.
