Some people prefer the gi, while others prefer training in no-gi. That’s a given and there’s nothing right nor wrong with any of the two choices.
However, it’s evident that no-gi is rising in popularity in professional Jiu-Jitsu, whereas gi Jiu-Jitsu is falling behind.
Felipe Pena shared his opinion on the issue in a recent Instagram post [translated from Portuguese]:
The sport in general has been growing very fast with media, sponsorship and many events with good scholarship payouts and awards.
For black belt professional athletes, the financial return at no-gi has been greater, due to the number of events in this modality.
However, it seems that more hobbyists continue training in the gi, rather than in no-gi:
In terms of sports Jiu-Jitsu, I see gi Jiu-Jitsu much larger and that will hardly change, as most schools have the majority of practitioners training in kimono.
Perhaps because it is an easier and safer fit.
So, how should the professional athletes’ scene change… So that gi Jiu-Jitsu becomes more popular?
Pena reveals his thoughts:
It’s easy to talk from the outside, without knowing what’s really going on, but I believe that IBJJF , if you want, is fully capable of making professional gi Jiu-Jitsu grow like grappling.
Compensating black belt athletes, at least in major events like World Cup, Pan-Ams, Brazilian, etc. with a fund that actually makes sense to compete and keeps track of the growth of the sport, is something that would be the first step in my view.
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Control, Retain, And Attack The Back As Felipe Pena Shows You How He Became One Of The Best Black Belts Of All-Time From This Powerful Position – Including The Secrets To His Signature Fight-Ending Chokes!
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