USPJJ ® - EXCELLENCE FOR ALL..!!
US PARA JIU-JITSU (USPJJ) ® PROGRAM -
People with disabilities take part in the sporting activities as a way to increase inclusivity and end the notion that disabled people cannot do certain things. Jiu-Jitsu, much like any other sport, is open for everyone who has the willingness to train and compete in it. Broverman (2018) explains that the organizers of Jiu-Jitsu are determined to put into practice and implement the para Jiu-Jitsu program. The decision focuses on ensuring that the sport is open for everyone does not remain as a slogan but a practical reality. Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling sport that involves arm and leg locks, chokeholds and eventually, it end with a tap out. The decision to have disabled people in Jiu-Jitsu is brought about because of the growing popularity of the sport. Along the increased demand of the sport, many people with disabilities, especially those that have spinal problems, have joined the Jiu-Jitsu community.
The spreading influence of Jiu-Jitsu is evident by the international Para Jiu-Jitsu competitions that were first organized in Abu Dhabi. The event was the first-ever major international event that involved athletes with a various range of disabilities (Teague, 2017). The competition was organized so that it may offer to the people with a disability the opportunity to compete in the same arena and with the same pride and prestige like the non-disabled athletes. In the United States Para Jiu-Jitsu Program, the vision is to provide a platform for the para Jiu-Jitsu athletes to reach the top level of excellence in sports and self-defense. Their excellence will be a great inspiration to the world. USA Jiu-Jitsu has a vision which is a to ensure the growth and strength of the Para Jiu-Jitsu Movement through the development of the National Para Jiu-Jitsu program and related sporting activities of all members of Para Jiu-Jitsu members (United States Ju-Jitsu Federation - USJJF) ®.
The regulations governing Para Jiu-Jitsu should not be different from those that govern other sporting activities that involve people with disabilities (Paralympic.org - 2019). The World Paralympic organization stipulates the regulations. It is the body mandated with the responsibility of making sure that all disabled people compete fairly and equitably. An important part of the regulation is the qualification stage. A player will have to undergo a formal examination by the governing authorities and have him or herself registered as a disabled USA Jiu-Jitsu athlete. The regulations also explain clearly the issue of gender. Athletes who are transgender, for example, are classified in their specific category. Apart from gender classification, the regulations also cover matters of doping to ensure that all athletes compete fairly without artificially added advantage by use of drugs (Connell, 2019). The governing body of Para Jiu-Jitsu in the USA will conduct a random doping test and athletes found to be using performance-enhancing drugs will be suspended indefinitely.
Para Jiu-Jitsu regulations also included medical requirements. Athletes taking part in competitions are usually required to have specific health requirements because sports can be deadly health wise for people having certain conditions. All the athletes taking part in Para Jiu-Jitsu competition and activities will be solely responsible for their mental and physical health and well being. The athlete will take responsibility for any form of injury sustained during the competition or in the practice stage. However, the organizing body will put in place measures to eliminate or minimize the occurrence of injuries.
References -
Broverman, A. (2018). Para Jiu-Jitsu Magazine to Cover Popular Adaptive Martial Art. Retrieved from http://www.newmobility.com/2018/02/para-jiu-jitsu/
Connell, R. (2019). Let's Chat: 2019 European Championships. Retrieved from https://www.flograppling.com/articles/6329239-lets-chat-2019-european-championships
Paralympic.org. (2019). IPC Athletics Sport Rules. Retrieved from https://www.paralympic.org/the-ipc/rules-and-regulations
Teague, H. (2017). World's First International Parathlete Jiu-Jitsu Competition. Retrieved from https://www.flograppling.com/articles/5063534-worlds-first-international-parathlete-jiu-jitsu-competition
United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF). (2019). United States Para Jiu-Jitsu Program. Retrieved from https://www.usjjf.org/united-states-para-jiu-jitsu-program.html
Sincerely,
Professor Rafael Jovet-Ramos
Head Instructor and USJJF Committee Member - US Para Jiu-Jitsu (USPJJ) ®
Rafael Brazilian jiu-jitsu Academy
People with disabilities take part in the sporting activities as a way to increase inclusivity and end the notion that disabled people cannot do certain things. Jiu-Jitsu, much like any other sport, is open for everyone who has the willingness to train and compete in it. Broverman (2018) explains that the organizers of Jiu-Jitsu are determined to put into practice and implement the para Jiu-Jitsu program. The decision focuses on ensuring that the sport is open for everyone does not remain as a slogan but a practical reality. Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling sport that involves arm and leg locks, chokeholds and eventually, it end with a tap out. The decision to have disabled people in Jiu-Jitsu is brought about because of the growing popularity of the sport. Along the increased demand of the sport, many people with disabilities, especially those that have spinal problems, have joined the Jiu-Jitsu community.
The spreading influence of Jiu-Jitsu is evident by the international Para Jiu-Jitsu competitions that were first organized in Abu Dhabi. The event was the first-ever major international event that involved athletes with a various range of disabilities (Teague, 2017). The competition was organized so that it may offer to the people with a disability the opportunity to compete in the same arena and with the same pride and prestige like the non-disabled athletes. In the United States Para Jiu-Jitsu Program, the vision is to provide a platform for the para Jiu-Jitsu athletes to reach the top level of excellence in sports and self-defense. Their excellence will be a great inspiration to the world. USA Jiu-Jitsu has a vision which is a to ensure the growth and strength of the Para Jiu-Jitsu Movement through the development of the National Para Jiu-Jitsu program and related sporting activities of all members of Para Jiu-Jitsu members (United States Ju-Jitsu Federation - USJJF) ®.
The regulations governing Para Jiu-Jitsu should not be different from those that govern other sporting activities that involve people with disabilities (Paralympic.org - 2019). The World Paralympic organization stipulates the regulations. It is the body mandated with the responsibility of making sure that all disabled people compete fairly and equitably. An important part of the regulation is the qualification stage. A player will have to undergo a formal examination by the governing authorities and have him or herself registered as a disabled USA Jiu-Jitsu athlete. The regulations also explain clearly the issue of gender. Athletes who are transgender, for example, are classified in their specific category. Apart from gender classification, the regulations also cover matters of doping to ensure that all athletes compete fairly without artificially added advantage by use of drugs (Connell, 2019). The governing body of Para Jiu-Jitsu in the USA will conduct a random doping test and athletes found to be using performance-enhancing drugs will be suspended indefinitely.
Para Jiu-Jitsu regulations also included medical requirements. Athletes taking part in competitions are usually required to have specific health requirements because sports can be deadly health wise for people having certain conditions. All the athletes taking part in Para Jiu-Jitsu competition and activities will be solely responsible for their mental and physical health and well being. The athlete will take responsibility for any form of injury sustained during the competition or in the practice stage. However, the organizing body will put in place measures to eliminate or minimize the occurrence of injuries.
References -
Broverman, A. (2018). Para Jiu-Jitsu Magazine to Cover Popular Adaptive Martial Art. Retrieved from http://www.newmobility.com/2018/02/para-jiu-jitsu/
Connell, R. (2019). Let's Chat: 2019 European Championships. Retrieved from https://www.flograppling.com/articles/6329239-lets-chat-2019-european-championships
Paralympic.org. (2019). IPC Athletics Sport Rules. Retrieved from https://www.paralympic.org/the-ipc/rules-and-regulations
Teague, H. (2017). World's First International Parathlete Jiu-Jitsu Competition. Retrieved from https://www.flograppling.com/articles/5063534-worlds-first-international-parathlete-jiu-jitsu-competition
United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF). (2019). United States Para Jiu-Jitsu Program. Retrieved from https://www.usjjf.org/united-states-para-jiu-jitsu-program.html
Sincerely,
Professor Rafael Jovet-Ramos
Head Instructor and USJJF Committee Member - US Para Jiu-Jitsu (USPJJ) ®
Rafael Brazilian jiu-jitsu Academy
