A PLAYER OF HUMAN CHESS

Words by Mr ALEKSANDER OTTOKAR, RT 5, Estonia

I I know we have quite a few brothers practicing martial arts all over the world, but I'd like to share something that really captivated me. I have been involved with martial arts for 20 years or so now. My biggest passion outside of tabling is martial arts. Having said that, I want to talk about one of my great passions for the past decade - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

WHEN I WAS younger, I did quite a bit of kick-boxing as support for cardio in cart racing. I've tried quite a number of different fighting sports throughout the years. Once, I even tried ninjutsu, which is mainly stuff you see in Japanese anime; throwing stars, sword fighting, etc. That was cool to do, but not very practical. I have also trained and competed in mixed martial arts as an amateur. I won a match as well, but decided I would close that chapter and cross it off the bucket list. his was before I fell in love with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU IS also known as submission wrestling, grappling, or human chess by some. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ (also written as jujitsu or jujutsu) is a grappling-based martial art of Japanese origin which central theme is the skill of controlling a resisting opponent in ways that force him to submit. Due to the fact that control is typically easier on the ground than in a standing position, much of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's technique centers on bringing an opponent to the ground and wrestling for dominant control positions from where the opponent can be rendered harmless. The emphasis in Jiu Jitsu is on body position, joint locks, and chokeholds. It's a complex sport that has so many different styles, moves, and techniques that no one can do everything perfectly. This just isn't possible since some styles don't work for different body types as well as it does for others. BJJ is mainly classified as Gi and NoGi. The main difference between Gi and NoGi is obviously the clothing aspect. In NoGi grappling you normally wear a rash guard and shorts. Gi grappling involves wearing a traditional Gi which you can utilize to your advantage while rolling since you can grab hold of it which is not the case with NoGi.

The term "human chess" is often used to compare Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and chess because during a match, a person is constantly adapting (as in Round Table, right?) his strategy to the movements of the opponent, just as it would be in a game of chess. Jiu Jitsu is also a very interesting sport to watch because there are so many different styles that can match up and be competitive with one another.

BJJ IS NOT ONLY a competition sport, far from it; anyone can do it. Naturally, being a competitor is an option, and I've done it a few times in my life just to take myself out of my comfort zone. The reason I always recommend BJJ over boxing, muay thai, or other sports that involve kicking and punching is that there is a disproportionately low rate of injury. As we see today famous boxers, rugby players etc. from the past, brain damage from impact to the head is a very real thing. Therefore, I have withdrawn from mixed martial arts, which includes boxing, and only engaged in grappling.

While grappling, you will have to outwit your opponent and that does not only mean winning, it also means surviving. The belt hierarchies of Jiu Jitsu are white, blue, purple, brown and black. You will not always be the hammer that stops the nails as a black belt; sometimes you have to switch to defense, as it is in life, right? It is also an excellent way to improve your problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities. When you're on a mat, the first and most important thing you need to do is deal with any issues brought up by your opponent when grappling.

Having been in the sport for 10 years, I am a threestripe blue belt under my main coach Priit Mihkelson at Estum Jiu Jitsu in Estonia. Belts can be given out in a wide variety of ways, but they are a great indicator of a practitioner's level of proficiency. While I have a pretty solid grasp of the overall dynamics of the sport, I still have a lot to learn. You are constantly learning something new in BJJ. That's the beauty of it. For me it has really changed my life. I used to weigh 107kg, but when I was a competitor I went down to 75kg. This really improved my overall conditioning and of course, my quality of life. As well as being a fun sport, BJJ has the fantastic benefit of improving conditioning. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu boosts your work capacity, makes your everyday life easier, and helps you become a fitter and more athletic person.

IF SOMEONE ASKED what the main benefits of BJJ are, I would say it’s not only being able to defend yourself (which is also true) but it’s the effect it has on our mental health. The sport involves continual growth and improvement. There is an inherent feeling of progression and fulfilment. Also, not only with BJJ, but with any sports we do physical activity as a whole is incredibly beneficial for our mental health. Numerous studies show that it reduces the risk of depression and makes us happier and more optimistic. It also teaches us the value of hard work and having a process. It makes us more disciplined, teaches us respect, and allows us to surround ourselves with amazing people. This is another reason why I feel like it’s a very helpful exercise for kids as well. So, if you’re looking for a martial art that will grow you into a stronger, more athletic, and mentally tougher person, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a smart option to go with. It’s something anyone can do and I really recommend people to try it out. Most of the BJJ gyms in the world have a free first class, so just show up and try something new. Healthy body, healthy mind.

AS OUTGOING MEN, we can get into trouble whether we like it or not. And while most people avoid confrontation and don’t ever want to resolve problems through force, life can be chaotic. It’s not always up to us to decide how to resolve a situation. Because of this, BJJ is very effective since a relatively small person can defeat a much larger and stronger opponent with technique, without hurting themselves or the other person. In addition to this, you can also see how fragile

I enjoy this sport for the same reason I enjoy Round Table: the people. Thanks to this ego-trimming sport, almost anyone you meet on the mat is cool. Also, as with Round Table associations and clubs, you can drop into gyms while traveling. People will welcome you with open arms. I have been to different gyms around the world – Finland, Dubai, Iceland, United Kingdom, America etc. I always check out the BJJ venues when I travel to drop in for a roll or two. It’s a great thing to include during international Round Table events, which tend to get boozy, and a little workout to get all the consumption out of you helps.

I KNOW IT’S HARD in the times we are living in to go to gyms and take classes. In some countries, it is not even possible. I am not a doctor but I have read a lot on this and as said before there is a very direct line between physical and mental health. I love to do Jiu Jitsu not only because of the sport itself, but also because it is a helpful divider between work and home. I usually take a class after work. It is a great way to concentrate on something else than work. It is eminent that if you do not want to be submitted, you have to concentrate on what you are doing. It’s very easy to become a couch sportsman right now, but the reality is that this is a slow but solid spiral downwards in everything to do. So guys, I hope this was a nice insight into what I do. Please take care of yourselves so that we can enjoy each other longer.