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.
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.
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