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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Nepal: Appearance, Growth and Wins

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Nepal: Appearance, Growth and Wins

The Rise of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Nepal: A Martial Art’s Journey to the Himalayas

Once appeared in Japan as an alternative martial art, Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) moved to Brazil with its teacher Mitsuyo Maeda and in a few years spread all over the world thanks to the efforts of Helio and Carlos Gracie. The 20th century became the pick period when athletes in different corners of the Earth were learning new techniques focused on ground fighting. The secret of the BJJ’s popularity lay in its usefulness in self-defence, discipline and undeniable impact on the sportsmen’s health and strength of spirit.

Recently, BJJ has spread to the Himalayan region attracting followers of diverse ages and genders. This post will tell you more about the formation of BJJ in Nepal and its impact on the local culture and sports scene.

The Early Days of BJJ in Nepal

Rumours about the newly appeared martial art came to Nepal in the early 2000s. Still, they weren’t spread from a single resource. Just like other countries slowly learned about the BJJ and its exciting techniques Nepal became a part of the viral trend. Many BJJ pioneers were already familiar with other similar kinds of sports like judo or karate. They start exploring new combat fighting which could offer new approaches to self-defence and bring martial arts to the advanced level.

Here’s how BJJ found its way to Nepal:

  1. International practices. Foreign instructors, like Mauricio Gomez Oquendo, a Black Belt holder, learned their skills in other countries where jiu-jitsu was actively developed. Later on, they travelled to Nepal to share their experiences with all the enthusiasts.
  2. Local sportsmen. Many Nepali martial artists trained abroad or practised BJJ via international network courses. They introduced a new direction at the homeland founding classes and recording training videos. 
  3. Growth in popularity provided by the World’s tournaments, like the Abu Dhabi World Amateur Jiu-Jitsu Championship showcased on local TV.

The increased exposure of BJJ and its online visibility greatly contributed to the appearance of the first combat schools and small classes in Nepal.

The Growing Popularity of BJJ

While BJJ in Nepal started as a niche interest for a limited sports community, it blossomed into a thriving movement over time. Nowadays, the country offers various gyms (e.g. Rage Fitness), academies and individual certified trainers in Kathmandu, Chitwan, Pokhara and other cities. And its number is continuously increasing. The reason lies in frequently held international tournaments which are broadcasted online like the World Jiu-Jitsu Mundial. Such events held at a professional level inspire Nepali athletes to master the secrets of martial arts, achieve perfect results and become a better version of themselves.

Besides, Nepali athletes won several trophies in 2024, popularizing their country globally and boosting interest in the sports at home. For example, Ajaya Joshi under the leadership of  Mauricio Gomez Oquendo brought home a golden medal fighting all the competitors in the Men’s Gi White Master 3 (69 kg) in the capital of the United Arab Emirates this year.

Umeed Sherpa, an experienced 32-year-old fighter made waves by earning 4 medals at the Oceanic Championship in Australia. 

Sahisna Bista achieved a real historic milestone for her country by becoming the first female BJJ athlete to win a medal in this sport. She took an honourable third place in a recent amateur championship held in Abu Dhabi.

BJJ’s Cultural Impact in Nepal

The Nepalese population values discipline, honesty and respect for other people. These are integral parts of the BJJ. Not surprisingly, both adults and children appreciated the appearance of a new martial art type. BJJ significantly impacts the fitness culture, as well, with its unique technique and reliance on positioning and athlete’s attention rather than brute force.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is considered a powerful tool of self-defence which is the second reason for the sports popularity in Nepal. Many people start having private classes or take children to master combat fights to ensure personal safety in real-life affairs. BJJ teaches sportsmen to defend themselves in situations where they can’t rely solely on strength and size. BJJ courses are extremely popular among female inhabitants. Received skills help them build confidence and keep them safe in extraordinary circumstances.

Nepali people are also discovering BJJ benefits for their physical and mental health. Sports improve their cardiovascular fitness, increase joint mobility and overall flexibility, support muscle tone and reduce weight. Additionally, BJJ exercises reduce the level of stress, clear thoughts and optimize focus. In short, BJJ promotion in Nepal encourages people to acquire a more active lifestyle and care about their mental growth.

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Challenges and Future Prospects

Although BJJ in Nepal has grown unprecedentedly in the last 20 years, this sport still has several issues that should be solved on higher state levels. 

Challenges Description Negative impact
A limited number of qualified instructors Despite the presence of self-educated practitioners, the country lacks a high-level system for training BJJ coaches. Instead, they invite foreign masters and Black Belt owners to share their experiences.  No consistency in training,

absence of long-term development for athletes, and high costs of courses.

Lack of infrastructure for martial arts While BJJ courses may be found in large cities like Kathmandu, smaller ones have a limited number of gyms or don’t offer them at all. Enthusiasts can’t regularly afford to attend locations far from home and receive regular training.
Poor-equipped training halls BJJ requires a special uniform (gi), protection (especially for children), mats, etc. That’s all requires investments (state or private). Inappropriate conditions for training may at least cause injuries. Without proper equipment, it’s hard to organize a high-level practice. 

Despite the described challenges, BJJ in Nepal may have a bright future. Considering the success of Nepali sportsmen in the latest World Championships, it’s likely that government and local authorities will pay more attention to the development of the sport, its accessibility and inclusivity for everybody who wants to master this combat martial art. We can expect that more gyms, academies and local instructors will emerge expanding access to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu across the country.

Conclusion

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is currently making waves on the Nepali sports scene. This variation of martial arts which started as a niche interest for sportsmen knowledgeable about other types of combat fights, has now grown into something bigger. Different gyms and schools provide BJJ training for both grown-ups and children, inspiring them to adopt a healthy lifestyle and defend themselves. 

Nepali athletes win prestigious world tournaments promoting their country and contributing to its cultural significance. While challenges like lack of instructors and related infrastructure still remain, the sport continues to evolve. BJJ becomes an integral part of the martial art scene revolutionizing Himalayan combat sports.

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