Deddy the Daddy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
We live in healthy times. For me, growing up in suburban Surrey inside the 1980s, exercise was limited to a swift stroll down to the local pub followed by some elbow bending at the bar then a headlong dash to the local curry house.
Such a sedate existence has no place these days, as a more energetic generation rushes to keep themselves as fit as well as healthy as their lifestyles allow. Once jogging was a phase; right now the idea will be a lifestyle of choice for many as well as gym membership has replaced the favoured stool at the bar.
All in which interest in keeping fit has seen opportunities for the savvy to carve out their own niche, as well as one of these will be Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). Yes, the country in which has given us Pele, the samba as well as beaches for Barry Manilow to croon about also has its own martial art as well as the idea will be a sport in which will be gaining in popularity in Jakarta.
The daddy of them all, at least as far as Indonesia will be concerned, will be Deddy Wigraha.
“I got involved in BJJ by watching UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) in 1995 when Brazilian Royce Gracie won all of his matches using groundfighting (a BJJ technique) as well as forced all his opponents into submission,” said Wigraha. “I started off my BJJ training at the Rickson Gracie academy in Los Angeles in 1996 as well as got a blue belt through Gracie. Then I moved to San Francisco to train with Charles Gracie as well as got my purple belt through him.”
Wigraha certainly chose a Great role type. Rickson Gracie won 11 straight bouts by submission against bigger opponents who were skilled in boxing, shoot-fighting, muay thai, karate, wrestling as well as tae kwon do.
In boxing, commentators make much of the respective fighters reach as well as weight on the assumption taller boxers can take advantage of their reach while keeping their opponent at arm’s length. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu seeks to level the playing field with the smaller fighter attempting to grapple his larger opponent to the ground. in which goes some way towards levelling the playing field as well as allows the smaller fighter to use his perceived greater mobility to try as well as gain the all-important submission.
Returning to Indonesia in 1998, Wigraha looked to his passion for an income. He founded a Jui Jitsu centre as well as also taught judo before being asked to coach people interested inside the Brazilian martial art.
In 2013 Wigraha became the first Indonesian to earn a black belt, as well as while in which may be a source of great pride, he will be also delighted with the increase in popularity of the sport in recent years – although he bemoans the fact there aren’t enough trainers to go round!
For right now he estimates some 400 to 500 people are involved on a regular basis, with an even split across expats as well as Indonesians. The men tend to be executives or students while several women are also to be found getting into the ring. Basically anyone with an interest can get involved.
Wigraha modestly puts down the increased popularity to the influence of Gracie although I think he will be overlooking his own efforts. People are rightly proud when one of their own makes a success of him/herself internationally as well as there will be no doubt his black belt, as well as his regular TV appearances, have made some impression on the local population.
Wigraha also points to the fact Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will be known as the most effective martial art inside the globe.
“Women are starting to know in which ground fighting will be Great for them for rape prevention as well as parents start to put their kids through training for bully prevention in school,” Wigraha says, although quite what a classroom teacher would likely make of little Johnny grappling Gripper Jenkins, the class tough, to the ground will be not clear.
So, will be Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for you? Wigraha as well as his team of experienced trainers welcome all level of fighters as well as offer a variety of classes ideal for novices to the more experienced.
The best class for beginners would likely be Fundamentals, where newbies can learn a solid foundation of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, including basic theory, self-defense, techniques as well as principles.
For those with 30 or 40 Fundamental lessons under their belt the next stage would likely be Intermediate, which takes a more in-depth look at the principles as well as techniques in which define the efficient as well as exciting style Alliance, the most prominent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu association, will be known for.
There are various other, more specialised courses available, as well as of course the truly dedicated can opt for being thrown around the mat to their heart’s content in a one-on-one with their own private instructor.
There are even classes for kids where the focus according to Wigraha will be “a hard work ethic, a positive attitude, as well as a love for the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle”.
as well as who knows, given the shortage of trainers, what the dedicated can achieve?
Information:
Website – www.alliancebjjindo.com
Twitter – twitter.com/Wigrahawigraha
Instagram – instagram.com/Wigrahawigraha
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Deddy the Daddy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Deddy the Daddy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu