Rules for main forums
- Be nice
- No advertisement
- No events
- No fundraisers
- No topics asking for votes
- Only posts related to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Wrestling or Judo?
5 year(s) ago • 2418 views • 68 replies
SLBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
I consider myself blessed to be from a city in the UK that is home to arguably one of the top judo clubs in Europe and also one of the top wrestling clubs in the UK.
Britain has produced some seriously high level judoka and wrestlers; especially if you look at the funding, popularity and relative numbers of practitioners compared to the rest of the big grappling countries.
For me, we have to approach BJJ with an open mind and understand that the other arts have a bank of knowledge that we can draw from. My answer to the original thread question would have to be ‘both’. But I have a mindset of becoming a ‘complete’ grappler.
Judo for grip fighting and base destruction. The judoka I’ve been smashed by have all had a alien like pressure in the game that makes you feel constantly unsteady and off balance - I want that!
Wrestling for a change in mindset, tenacious mentality and clinch work / leg attacks (and the ability to do 1347939 burpees in 2mins).
Britain has produced some seriously high level judoka and wrestlers; especially if you look at the funding, popularity and relative numbers of practitioners compared to the rest of the big grappling countries.
For me, we have to approach BJJ with an open mind and understand that the other arts have a bank of knowledge that we can draw from. My answer to the original thread question would have to be ‘both’. But I have a mindset of becoming a ‘complete’ grappler.
Judo for grip fighting and base destruction. The judoka I’ve been smashed by have all had a alien like pressure in the game that makes you feel constantly unsteady and off balance - I want that!
Wrestling for a change in mindset, tenacious mentality and clinch work / leg attacks (and the ability to do 1347939 burpees in 2mins).
JBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
I consider myself blessed to be from a city in the UK that is home to arguably one of the top judo clubs in Europe and also one of the top wrestling clubs in the UK. Britain has produced some seriously high level judoka and wrestlers
That's an interesting perspective, I gotta tell you.
France is 2nd only to Japan in terms of Olympic medals in Judo and Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Germany and Spain have at least 3 Gold medals while Great Britain doesn't have any. Technically speaking the United States is ranked higher in terms of Olympic Gold medals than England because of Kayla Harrison's two Golds and I would say we (the US) are not considered a powerhouse Judo country. At all.
Ironically, Brazil is more successful internationally with Judo then either of our countries. It's also probably more popular in Brazil than BJJ, overall.
France is 2nd only to Japan in terms of Olympic medals in Judo and Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Germany and Spain have at least 3 Gold medals while Great Britain doesn't have any. Technically speaking the United States is ranked higher in terms of Olympic Gold medals than England because of Kayla Harrison's two Golds and I would say we (the US) are not considered a powerhouse Judo country. At all.
Ironically, Brazil is more successful internationally with Judo then either of our countries. It's also probably more popular in Brazil than BJJ, overall.
IBBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
My take down game is 80% defensive and 20% take advantage of your mistake and 0% offensive. I can stuff shots and my main skill is finding the right position if I am taken down. At 42 my learning of new and fancy take downs or grinding like a wrestler or feeling gravity with judo is just not something I look forward to.
SLBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
That's an interesting perspective, I gotta tell you. France is 2nd only to Japan in terms of Olympic medals in Judo and Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Germany and Spain have at least 3 Gold medals while Great Britain doesn't have any. Technically speaking the United States is ranked higher in terms of Olympic Gold medals than England because of Kayla Harrison's two Golds and I would say we (the US) are not considered a powerhouse Judo country. At all. Ironically, Brazil is more successful internationally with Judo then either of our countries. It's also probably more popular in Brazil than BJJ, overall.
Okay okay.... we don’t have gold but we have 8 silver and 11 bronzes!
JBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
PKBlue beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
That's an interesting perspective, I gotta tell you. France is 2nd only to Japan in terms of Olympic medals in Judo and Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Germany and Spain have at least 3 Gold medals while Great Britain doesn't have any. Technically speaking the United States is ranked higher in terms of Olympic Gold medals than England because of Kayla Harrison's two Golds and I would say we (the US) are not considered a powerhouse Judo country. At all. Ironically, Brazil is more successful internationally with Judo then either of our countries. It's also probably more popular in Brazil than BJJ, overall.
Yes, considering the popularity of Judo in the UK, we haven't done brilliant on the world level such as the Olympic or World Championships for some reason. We always seem to do "ok" at Commonwealth Games level or or European Championships, and even qualifying events like the Pan American open. France is on another level to the rest of the world.
JBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Yes, considering the popularity of Judo in the UK, we haven't done brilliant on the world level such as the Olympic or World Championships for some reason. We always seem to do 'ok' at Commonwealth Games level or or European Championships, and even qualifying events like the Pan American open. France is on another level to the rest of the world.
Yeah, a Judo player from France is like a wrestler from Iran. It's going to hurt so just grin and bear it.
MBlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
The problem with wrestling is that if you didn’t do it in school, you’re kind of out of luck as finding regular wrestling training as an adult seems to be a difficult task.
That actually depends on where you live. We have a few clubs in the area that pre-covid ran tournaments and clinics along with the club days. When my daughter was with the club she competed and traveled nationally and internationaly. People that attended the club were of all ages. One of the older guys was in his late 60's at the time! I remember the second time when I went to a class.... OH BOY do I... I broke two ribs! that was my great introductory lesson!
