I am always game to try out new fitness activities, but I draw the line at contact sports. The idea of grappling, punching and wrestling with strangers has never appealed to me. But there is also a cool factor to combat sports, and you must admit that they do offer a challenge few other activities can. I decided it was time to step up and bite the bullet, never mind the risk of bruises or injuries. It’s a new decade, after all, and I was getting bored of jogging, yoga and even cardio boxing.
After some research, I decided that Brazlian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) might be a good place to start. From what I’ve read, the sport is focused on groundwork, and incorporates wrestling and self-defence techniques. It seemed like a safe enough introduction to martial arts compared to Muay Thai or MMA. Also, a 2017 Sports Medicine Open research concluded that regular BJJ practitioners typically have physiques that are low in body fat. New skills? Weight loss? Lean muscles? Sign me up, please.
BJJ Origins
BJJ is a fairly modern sport, but its origins stretch all the way back to ancient Japan. It started off as jiu-jitsu, a martial art practised by samurais. Should they find themselves unarmed – or disarmed in a battle – they could at least fight with techniques such as throws, locks and chokes.
Over time, various styles of the art developed. One watershed moment occurred in 1882, when Jigoro Kano developed judo by extracting the most efficient jiu-jitsu techniques from it.
This story is from the Issue 156 edition of August Man SG.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 156 edition of August Man SG.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Forces Of Nature
Two strategically released pieces in Grand Seiko’s Watches and Wonders Geneva repertoire of novelties promise an exciting future for the Japanese Manufacture.
Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom
Roku Gin Sakura Bloom Edition invokes Japan’s cherry blossom festival exquisitely.
A NATIONAL TREASURE
THE AVERAGE SINGAPOREAN REMEMBERS DR. ONG KENG SEN FOR DIRECTING THE POPULAR 1996 LOCAL FILM ARMY DAZE, BUT THE CULTURAL MEDALLION LAUREATE IS NOW PLAYING A HUGE PART IN FACILITATING OUR SOCIETY’S MATURATION IN ARTS, CULTURE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.
With Delicious Precision
THE MADE OF MAKERS CAMPAIGN by Jaeger-LeCoultre is a groundbreaking new campaign in which the Manufacture collaborates with artists and artisans from outside the world of watchmaking.
LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING WITH PROFESSOR BRIAN COX
Augustman met Professor Brian Cox at Watches and Wonders Geneva as he presented the new IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Eternal Calendar. Existentialist questions around time and existence followed in our exclusive interview.
AN EYE FOR ICON
THE SYNONYM FOR ‘CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION OF ARCHIVAL EMBLEMS’ MIGHT VERY WELL BE KIM JONES.
THE KEEPER OF MEMORIES
A conversation with French master perfumer Daphné Bugey details what exactly makes fragrances so powerful. Layered between each olfactive note is a memory tucked within.
FROM SHANGHAI WITH LOVE
Junior The Pocket Bar invokes the nocturnal glamour and grit of 1930s Shanghai with its latest iteration.
Much Preferred
Prefer is putting forward a very strong case for a bean-free coffee revolution.
A CENTURY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP
Celebrating a legacy of luxury with Wes Anderson’s cinematic flair, Montblanc rediscovers the timeless elegance of its iconic Meisterstück fountain pen.