Sport Jujitsu History

While Kumite and Free sparring tournaments existed long before Sport Jujitsu, it's difficult to chart the chronological history of the sport. The first tournaments organised under the heading of 'Sport Ju-jitsu' took place in America and, depending on what sources you read, were instigated/organised by Professor John Chow-Hoon or Ernie Boggs.

Most sources however, credit Ernie Boggs for coining the term Sport Jujitsu and acknowledge him as the world's leading authority on the sport. Founder member of the International Sport Ju-jitsu Association (ISJA) he was the first American to become World Champion in that sport and is also credited with creating the very first piece of sparring equipment designed specifically for mixed martial arts competition. His sport jujitsu glove looks similar to a boxing glove while the hand is closed but when it is open the fingers are free to permit grappling.

Excluding the Ground Grappling, (or back-to-back contests) often held in tandem with international Sport Ju-jitsu events, there are basically two forms of Sport Jujitsu competition: full contact and light or semi contact.

As the name implies, full contact does not restrict the power of kicks and punches. Competitors can 'hit' each other without penalty restrictions on severity of the blows though there are still basic rules governing areas of the body which must be avoided. Fighters specialising in full contact competition usually also compete in full contact UFC, Vale Tudo type events. These full contact Sport Ju-jitsu events are restricted to adult only competition.

Light/semi contact competition requires control. Strikes have to be seen to make contact with the approved target areas to score, excessive use of force is not permitted and is penalised. Often described as 'fighter friendly' this is the style practised by junior and adult Sport Ju-jitsu competitors at the IAJJ/IASJJ.