See the Takado BJJ Fundamentals Course here (in Finnish)!
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be seen as consisting of three parts: self-defense, no-holds-barred fighting and various sport forms. The basis of the martial art was self-defense, the techniques were proved in fights, and later the sport form without strikes and wearing a Gi was developed. Nowadays many even only train the sport form of BJJ, and a form without the Gi, known as No-Gi or Submission Wrestling, is also very popular.
In training we typically wear a Gi, resembling a Judo Gi, but training without the Gi is also very important. The focus of training – self-defense, mixed martial arts or the sport forms – derives from personal experience and interest.
BJJ has a rowdy history and the training can be hard, but it is a versatile and comparatively safe form of exercise. The aim can be well-rounded exercise in good company, realistic self-defense skills or success in competition. The art is suitable for everyone regardless of age or gender – it’s all about the mindset. Brazilian culture gives a flavor to the classes, that are typically more laid-back than those in many Budo arts. A certain level of cleanliness and order is however necessary for safety reasons.
Solid knowledge and skills as well as support for competitors are definitely strengths in Takado, and it’s great that this club has been part of my journey in BJJ.
New Members
New members can begin BJJ by joining the Fundamentals Course at the beginning of a season. The duration of the course is ca. three months, after which you can join more advanced classes. If you already have a background in combat sports, you can negotiate with a coach to join advanced classes and No-Gi earlier. Do not underestimate the value of knowing the fundamentals, because without them sparring and learning advanced techniques are not very efficient. Fundamentals Courses do not require wearing a Gi, but it is advised.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Takado
Takado from Espoo is one of, if not the first Finnish martial arts club to begin training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu seriously. The BJJ at Takado has been based on Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, and Takado is nowadays part of Alliance BJJ. Our head coach Alexandre Paiva is one of the founders of the Brazilian association Alliance. Paiva is also a World Champion (Mundial 1999) and especially famous for his technical prowess. Paiva has visited Finland to give seminars and acted as a referee in competitions organized by Takado. It is important for us to have a direct connection to the best Brazilian coaches and competitors.
Takado has been successfully represented in BJJ and No-Gi competitions, where Takado has been recognized as the best club in Finland multiple times. Athletes training at Takado have also taken part in MMA competitions.
The BJJ section of Takado is headed by Markku Juntunen, who is a coach authorized by Alexandre Paiva, and the first BJJ Black Belt in Finland.
Belt ranks are one way to measure progress, but in BJJ perseverance and patience are required. At Takado BJJ has retained its realism, and promotion in rank requires exhibiting skill. Belt tests are organized regularly. Invitations to tests are given in advance, and the more experienced athletes will help you prepare.
Recent History
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is nowadays a well known and respected combat sport and way of self-defense among serious martial artists. BJJ became known to the general public in 1993 via the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events organized in the United States. In the UFC almost all holds were allowed, which is known in Brazil as Vale Tudo. The Brazilian Royce Gracie won all his fights decisively despite his smaller stature, with speed, effectiveness and no unnecessary harm. Notable was also the Gracie Family’s respectful and gentlemanly behavior, which was not a given in the controversial world of Mixed Martial Arts.
Representatives of different martial arts were dumbfounded and disbelieving – and many still are. The world of martial arts was not the same after the first UFC event. It is all the more unbelievable that the best of the Gracie Family have gone unbeaten in Vale Tudo and MMA up to recent years – practically more than 70 years.
After techniques, strategies and training methods developed by the Gracie Family and new generations of Brazilian martial artists became better known, they have been studied all over the world. New hybrid martial arts and schools of thought combining different martial arts, and especially the groundwork techniques of BJJ, have been developed. Also interesting is how MMA has given the traditional arts of grappling and wrestling a new life of relevance in real fighting scenarios.