The Olympic Games are one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world. Needless to say, it is a big deal for any sport to be represented at this event. However, many people have been asking lately whether or not Jiu-Jitsu will ever become an Olympic Sport. To answer this question, you need to take a look at this in-depth.
Is Jiu-Jitsu an Olympic Sport?
Jiu-jitsu is not an Olympic sport, but the sport is growing rapidly, and there are high hopes for the future. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has not added jiu-jitsu to its list of sports, but many believe it will soon be included in the Olympics. The IOC requires a minimum number of countries from different continents competing at international championships before bringing a new sport to the Olympics.
What Qualifies To Be an Olympic Sport
Several criteria define what qualifies to be an Olympic sport. The first is “Eligibility standards,” which include having the International Federation recognition, mandatory rules, and safety regulation for each international game/competition. In addition, there must be a national governing body in every country of representation that will produce athletes eligible to compete in the sport. Jiu jitsu has all this.
The second criteria is “Participation,” which means the sport must be widely practiced in several countries worldwide, where at least one country has to have more than 50 athletes practicing it regularly. Jiu-Jitsu already meets that requirement as well, with over 80% of all BJJ practitioners being outside Brazil, according to IBJJF.
Why Is Jiu-Jitsu Not an Olympic Sport?
The main reason jiu-jitsu is not in the Olympics right now is that it does not fit into traditional sporting categories like boxing or weightlifting. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) requires that all sports be easily describable and relatable to a universal audience; as a result, they often exclude unique sports.
In addition to this difficulty, jiu-jitsu is not as popular or well known around the world as other combat sports such as karate and taekwondo. Winning an Olympic medal requires a lot of exposure for both athletes and their sport; unfortunately, the media does not give jiu-jitsu very much attention.
Another reason jiu-jitsu is not an Olympic sport is that it requires equipment, namely the gi (kimono). The IOC has strict rules about what athletes can wear during competition; for this reason, they do not give sports with extensive or unique gear opportunities to compete in the Olympics.
What Are the Risks in Jiu-Jitsu?
This is a question that many people have, especially parents of children who are interested in training. Unfortunately, there are risks involved with any sport or activity, and jiu-jitsu is no different.
The most common injury in jiu-jitsu is a joint sprain or a muscle strain. This can happen when you are rolling, and your training partner either does not tap out soon enough, causing the submission to be held too long or because they were going much harder than anticipated.
How Does One Qualify for Jiu-Jitsu?
It can be hard to understand what the requirements are for jiu-jitsu. While there is no official governing body, many organizations have been created to standardize rules and regulations over time. To compete at a high level in competitions outside of local events, you'll need a ranking from one of these organizations that designates you as an elite competitor.
The IBJJF requires a minimum of two years of training to be eligible for a brown belt, which is the first adult rank. You must also compete in a minimum of 15 matches against other ranked athletes to be eligible for promotion from blue to purple belt and from purple to brown belt.
Will Jiu-Jitsu Be in the 2026 Olympics?
In 2026 the Olympics will be held in Paris, France. There have been talks about jiu-jitsu being an Olympic sport for a long time, but nothing has ever come of it. Although fans and athletes alike would love to see this happen, many things need to be considered before becoming an Olympic sport.
If jiu-jitsu becomes an Olympic sport, it has to have a world governing body recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). There are currently two organizations that claim they are the only ones who govern jiu-jitsu: The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation and the International Judo Federation. Both of them are recognized by the Brazilian Olympic Committee but not yet by the IOC.
Conclusion
As you can see, jiu-jitsu is not an Olympic sport. It is, however, part of the World Games and other international competitions for martial arts. Jiu-jitsu has grown immensely in popularity over the years due to this exposure, along with its acceptance into MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) events such as UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). This will only increase jiu-jitsu’s exposure and increase its chance of becoming an Olympic sport.