Is Jiu-Jitsu an Olympic Sport? | Easily Explained
Many sports are used in Mixed Martial Arts that are in the Olympics today, but is Jiu-Jitsu one of them?
In this page, we will explain if Jiu Jitsu is an Olympic sport, and if it isn't, what hurdles are preventing the sport.
Is Jiu-Jitsu an Olympic Sport?
Jiu Jitsu is currently not an Olympic sport, and there has been no mention of its inclusion in any Olympics shortly.
Although many other martial arts such as Judo, Karate and even wrestling are in the Olympics. Many people point to Jiu Jitsu being a practitioner sport rather than a spectator sport as the obstacle.
While not everyone who watches the Olympics runs, or swims, they still tune in to see who the fastest man in the world will be, or watch Michael Phelps break the world record for most gold medals in an Olympic.
ONE FC Brings in Jiu Jitsu
Regardless, Jiu Jitsu has been growing in popularity and inching towards mainstream popularity.
Most notably through ONE FC signing top talents such as Gordon Ryan, Mikey Musumeci Danielle Kelly, Andre Galvao, Garry Tonon, and the Ruotolo Brothers.
ONE FC has held bouts with submission grappling-only rules where some of the best BJJ practitioners were able to face off in a cage.
Before this event, BJJ professionals would only really grab more eyes when they competed at ADCC.
Jiu-Jitsu Faces Hurdles Entering the Olympics
There's an argument to be made that only those who practice BJJ are interested in watching the top-tier talent face off.
Excluding the recent ONE FC events, the data is consistent with this thought, as the numbers aren't as high as in other sports.
With low viewership numbers, this means less revenue, less sponsorship, and fewer incentives for the Olympics to want to bring in Jiu Jitsu as an Olympic sport.
For the exact opposite reason, many argue that Mixed Martial Arts should be in the Olympics sooner rather than later.
The Different Types of Jiu-Jitsu Practiced
Additionally, there are many rule sets in Jiu Jitsu, and one would need to be adopted, such as how MMA has the Unified Rules of MMA.
Some of the different rule sets in BJJ include no time limits, others have time limits and points, stalling point warnings/deductions, and in Combat Jiu-Jitsu even open hand slaps are allowed.
In addition to all of this, there is the Gi Jiu Jitsu competition and the No Gi Jiu Jitsu competition.
Before Jiu-Jitsu is ever considered for the Olympics, they would have to figure out and agree to a universal rule set.
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