There are various types of self-defense martial arts. In Beijing, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is gaining popularity, reports Yin Di for China Daily.
Related: Fighting spirit
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a ground fighting martial arts. But unlike many other ground fighting styles, it teaches practitioners the skill of controlling. As control is generally easier on the ground than in a standing position, much of the technique of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is centered round the skill of taking an opponent down to the ground and wrestling for dominant control without hurting the opponent.
Two years ago, four martial artists from Norway, Sweden and Brazil came to Beijing and opened Big King BJJ to teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to all nationalities, ages and genders. When dark falls, a classroom in Wangjing is fueled with the power of the martial arts.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not only for men. Zhao Jie has practiced at Big King for one year. She says she is addicted to it and has influenced her boyfriend to join her. Photos by Yin Di / for China Daily |
Top: Augusto Miranda (left) shows a training video to Luciano Queroz. They are from Brazil. Among the four trainers, Miranda is the latest addition and now sleeps in the living room. Above: Nano Lozevski from Sweden is a big fan of Bruce Lee. Among his martial arts collections include books about Bruce Lee. |
Practitioners of different nationalities pay close attention to the class taught by Augusto Miranda and Luciano Queroz. |
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu involves a range of skills. A practitioner tries to take his opponent down using his elbows. |