Competition

Competition is a big part of the brazilian jiu jitsu art. It is a place where we see amazing technique and are inspired by those who step into the public eye to do their best. This is the place where teams and schools come together to support one another.

The result of competition is often emphasized but shouldn't be that important to the competitor. I read a quote from Marcio Feitosa about competition and his mentor, Carlos Gracie. To paraphrase, he said that it never mattered what the outcome was in competition. After the match, Carlinhos would always point out something that he did well in the match and something that he could improve upon.

It is my belief that everyone should try competing at least once in their jiu jitsu career. This should not be taken lightly though and the practitioner should increase their training as well as their off mat exercise to be prepared. Just the journey alone will make you and better jiu jitsu player. No matter what the outcome, you will learn a lot about yourself and your jiu jitsu.

A couple of rules for competing for Gracie Barra Boston Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:

We don't compete against each other in a tournament. Even though it feels like it is you against another in the gym, you are both working together to improve. When you are at the tournament, you are teammates and should support each other as such. You should try to make sure that people of your same rank and weight are on the other side of the bracket. If you run into your teammate in the tournament it should be predetermined who goes forward. If in doubt, ask your coach before or at the tournament.

Also referees that are judging matches. Please get another ref if there is a teammate of yours that is in the match that you are about to ref. You are suppose to be a fair arbiter of the participants in the match and regardless of what happens it is impossible to view you as such. You either will favor your teammate or overly-favor the other in hopes of being viewed as impartial. Take yourself out before this happens.

From Teddy Roosevelt (not the usual "critic doesn't matter" quote):

Far better it is to dare mighty things to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered with failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that know not victory or defeat