Gary King has trained in both arts and makes a comparison of the two and their different applications.
Gary King started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the late nineties. Initially he focused on Japanese Ju Jitsu (the original Samurai art which Karate, Judo and Aikido all sprung from). He became successful in both coaching and tournaments where he won regular medals at a national level.
Then his eyes were opened to the ruthlessly efficient art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (or Gracie Jiu Jitsu) when training with Royce Gracie. He soon travelled to LA to learn the art from Rorion Gracie (inventor of the Ultimate Fighting Championships or UFC) and his sons Ryron, Rener and Ralek. The visits became regular and Gary combined training with the Gracie family in the US with progressing under world champion Carlos Lemos Jr. in the UK and Italy.
Gary then went to live in the original home of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – Rio in order to gain experience with some of the best in the world before returning to the UK in 2006. On coming to live in South Africa, he co-founded Gracie Jui Jitsu Cape Town which went on to create national champions and become the largest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school in South Africa.
In the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu world, it’s common to have nicknames. Gary’s nickname is, Sapateiro, which is Portugese for cobbler, as Gary spends a lot of time doing leg locks and therfore looking at opponents feet! His martial arts experience includes Judo (as a nipper and to supplement Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), Japanese Ju Jitsu (6 years, silver medalist at national level) and Gracie Jiu Jitsu (10 years, silver medalist at European level).
Gary has been lucky enough to have trained with a number of the Gracies (Helio, Rorion, Royce, Royler, Rolker, Ryron, Rener, Ralek and Carols Jr) as well as some Brazilian Jiu Jitsu world champions (Marico Fetoza, Carlos Lemos Jr., Lucio, Lagarto, Rodrigues) and Erik Paulson (trainer of MMA stars such as Ken and Frank Shamrock) and Soke Fumon Tanaka (Grandmaster and head of Japans head Samurai school)
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