Now available in Kowloon, Brazilian jiujitsu has gained an international reputation for being a code that is ruthlessly effective
In a town where kung fu is the king of the mat, it is worth remembering that there are plenty of other martial arts out there. Ever since the diminutive South American, Royce Gracie, stunned the fighting world by cleaning up at the 1993 Ultimate Fighting Championship, Brazilian jiujitsu has gained an international reputation for being a code that is ruthlessly effective.
The development of the martial art has been an international phenomenon. Gracie's family was taught a version of jiujitsu by a Japanese immigrant in the earlier years of the 20th century in Brazil who then set about honing and sharpening it. This new style of grappling combines wrestling, ancient Japanese jiujitsu and judo, and seeks to pin an opponent by a combination of holds, throws and even chokes.
Almost a hundred years on, Hong Kong finally has its own club devoted to the art.
'Earlier this year, we managed to secure our own premises to practise, which is great for Hong Kong,' said Keisuke Takizawa, or Taki, an integral member of the Kowloon Brazilian Jiujitsu Club and the gym's only purple belt.
'We now have about 40 members who come in to train about two times a week. We are growing, but we know we're still small compared to some other Asian countries.'
