BJJ SUPREMO VISITS BRITISH ARMY TEAM

The British Army's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team held its annual seminar at the Combat Sports Centre in Aldershot, where members were treated to a masterclass from the founding father of BJJ in the UK - Mauricio Gomes.

Brazilian 7th degree black and red belt Mauricio, 60, who has been practicing BJJ for 50 years said it was an honour to give the troops tips on techniques. "What I really, really like is to teach," he said. "So, when I see that my teaching helps people with their Jiu Jitsu game, that’s extremely rewarding. And, it's a big honour being here today."

The Army's head BJJ coach Andy Roberts said: "You can put yourself in some tight and claustrophobic positions mentally, and you have to be mentally strong to know that your technique is going to enable you to survive, so the mental aspect is quite close to soldiering. It’s the ability to perform under pressure and in difficult circumstances and you have to think your way out."

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been recognised as an official Army sport since March this year. However, it has been practiced in the Army for ten years. As we all know, jiu jitsu is the gentlest of all the martial arts and promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can defend against a bigger, stronger opponent.

Andy, 35, who is a civilian and runs an academy in nearby Farnham, said: "It’s fun to start with because it’s a controlled environment but also it’s nerve-wracking. It’s pressure testing because you’re putting your skills on the line and to the test against someone else.

"You don’t know what they are capable of, so it’s quite raw emotionally at times. But it’s a safe sport because you know no harm is going to be done. It’s the closest you can get to a real fight without getting hurt.”

Pictures: Cpl Jamie Dudding RLC

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