• March 10, 2024

Have You Heard of the Asian Games Sport Called "Human Chess"?

"Ready, go!" With the referee's command, two martial artists stand bowed, lowering their center of gravity, hands gripping each other's gi tightly, shoulders occasionally colliding as they search for openings, hoping to overturn their opponent with a move... As a unique sport originating from Brazil, blending elements of Japanese Judo and combat techniques, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has emerged as a rising star in the Asian Games arena. Let's delve into this sport and explore its intricacies.

When it comes to BJJ, many people might think of its "sibling," Judo. The difference between Judo and BJJ can actually be seen from their names. Judo emphasizes direction, norms, and discipline; while BJJ focuses on techniques, emphasizing competitive combat. "In Judo, winning means throwing your opponent to the ground, but in BJJ, after throwing them to the ground, the fight continues. It continues until one person locks the other, and that person concedes defeat," explained Dong Shuangjia of Nanjing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (HQ).

"From a competitive perspective, BJJ is a sport where opponents control and subdue each other without resorting to punching or kicking," said Dong Shuangjia, who has been involved in BJJ for over three years. In his view, BJJ is a highly captivating sport. "Rather than calling it a martial art, it's more like a game. Many refer to it as 'human chess,' involving a dynamic process of mental and physical strategizing, where opponents continuously pose challenges, and you need to solve them."

Regarding BJJ's rules, Dong Shuangjia told reporters that based on the most prevalent BJJ rules, if one person locks the other within the specified time, the one who locks the opponent wins; otherwise, the one with higher points wins.

So, how are BJJ points judged? Reporters learned that BJJ's scoring is based on athletes' stable positions and techniques during the match. BJJ's scoring positions roughly include the following:

·         If one person brings the other from standing to the ground and maintains control, they receive 2 points;

·         If one person passes the other's defense structure through the legs and reaches advantageous positions like side control or mount, they receive 3 points;

·         If one person kneels on the other's abdomen and maintains balance, they receive 2 points;

·         If one person sits on the other's chest or abdomen and traps both legs, they receive 4 points;

·         If one person grabs the other's back and hooks both legs, they receive 4 points;

·         If one person sweeps the other from the bottom position and transitions to the top, they receive 2 points.

If athletes use a series of scoring positions, the points can accumulate. For example, transitioning from a leg pass to a mount can earn 7 points. However, it's worth noting that each scoring position must be stable for at least 3 seconds to be awarded points, and the same scoring position cannot be repeated for points unless it changes due to the opponent's escape or attack.

The belt is an essential part of BJJ training and serves as a strong proof of BJJ rank and combat abilities. BJJ belts come in five colors: white, blue, purple, brown, and black. Beginners start with the white belt, and it takes about two years of amateur training to reach the standard for a blue belt. Achieving a black belt requires long-term training, learning, and combat experience.

BJJ is not only a competitive sport but also a way of cultivating character, emphasizing the principle of "softness overcoming hardness." It's worth mentioning that BJJ has increasingly gained attention and popularity. Dong Shuangjia told reporters that currently, the youngest student in the gym is only 4 years old, and there are also students close to 60 years old learning BJJ.

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