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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or BJJ, is a martial art that’s won hearts worldwide. It focuses on ground fighting, using techniques like chokes and joint locks to defeat opponents.

It began in Brazil with the Gracie family and grew popular through mixed martial arts (MMA) and the UFC. With its global fanbase, many ask, “Is Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics?” The Olympics showcase top sports, so it’s natural to wonder if BJJ has a place there. Let’s dive into why it’s not an Olympic sport yet and what the future might hold.

Is Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics Right Now?

No, Jiu Jitsu is not in the Olympics as of June 2025. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decides which sports get included. When people ask, “Is Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics?” the answer is no. Sources like King Calisthenics and Gracie Raleigh explain that BJJ doesn’t meet all IOC requirements. Organizations like the Sport Jiu Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF) are pushing for change, but there are still major hurdles to overcome.

What Does It Take to Be an Olympic Sport?

To become an Olympic sport, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has specific requirements that a sport must meet. These ensure the sport is globally recognized, well-organized, and appealing. Here’s a clear breakdown:

• Unified Governing Body: A sport needs one international organization to oversee it. This group sets standard rules used worldwide. For example, the International Judo Federation manages Judo globally.
• Global Participation: The sport must be widely practiced in many countries across different continents. The IOC requires men’s sports in at least 75 countries on four continents and women’s sports in 40 countries on three continents, as noted by CP World Games.
• Standardized Rules: The sport’s rules must be consistent everywhere to ensure fair competition. This makes it easy for athletes and spectators to follow, like Taekwondo’s unified scoring system.
• Spectator Appeal: The sport should be exciting to watch to attract viewers and media interest. Olympic sports like Karate gain attention for their dynamic action.
• Anti-Doping Compliance: The sport must follow the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules to ensure clean competition.
• Youth Engagement: The IOC favors sports that appeal to younger audiences to keep the Olympics relevant, as seen with sports like skateboarding, added in 2020.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, face challenges in becoming Olympic sports due to issues like fragmented governance or limited global reach.

Martial arts like Judo, Taekwondo, and Karate are in the Olympics. CP World Games notes Judo joined in 1964, and Taekwondo in 2000. These sports have unified rules and global reach. BJJ struggles to meet these standards.

Why Is Jiu Jitsu Not in the Olympics?

No Unified Leadership: BJJ lacks a single organization to lead it. Groups like the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC), and UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation run their own events with different rules. Kingz points out that this confuses the IOC, which prefers one body, like the International Judo Federation for Judo. This is a big reason why “Is Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics?” remains unanswered with a yes.

Similarity to Judo: BJJ evolved from Judo, an Olympic sport since 1964. The IOC avoids adding sports that feel too similar. Gracie Raleigh notes that BJJ’s ground fighting makes it seem like a Judo offshoot. This overlap makes it tough for BJJ to stand out when it comes to becomes an Olympian sport.

Limited Global Reach: The IOC wants sports played in many countries across continents. BJJ is huge in Brazil, the U.S., and Japan, but less so in places like Africa or parts of Asia. BJJ Fanatics says this limited spread hurts BJJ’s chances. Judo, for example, is in over 200 countries, while BJJ does not meet the criteria of at least 75 countries.

Efforts to Bring Jiu Jitsu to the Olympics

Fans often ask, “Is Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics?” Right now, it’s not, but people are working hard to change that. A group called the Sport Jiu Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF) is leading the way. Wikipedia says they’re trying to make one set of rules for BJJ everywhere. They also want more countries to play BJJ.

Big tournaments around the world show how exciting BJJ can be. BJJEE mentioned hope for BJJ in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but it didn’t happen. These efforts keep the dream alive for BJJ to join the Olympics one day.

What Could Jiu Jitsu Gain from the Olympics?

If BJJ becomes an Olympic sport, it could grow a lot. Here’s what might happen.

More People Loving BJJ: The Olympics would put BJJ on TV screens worldwide. More people would see it and want to try it. Elite Sports says Judo and Taekwondo got way more popular after becoming Olympic sports. BJJ could fill gyms with new fans, answering “Is Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics?” with a big popularity boost.

More Money for Training: Olympic sports get extra funding. Governments and sponsors pay for better gyms and coaches. GB Riveroaks says this could help BJJ athletes train harder. It would make the sport stronger and more exciting for everyone.

Challenges to Jiu Jitsu Joining the Olympics

Not everyone thinks BJJ should be in the Olympics. There are some big worries.

Losing What Makes BJJ Special: To fit Olympic rules, BJJ might need easier moves. Some fans think this would make BJJ less cool. ATTFTL says Judo changed after joining the Olympics, and BJJ fans don’t want that. They love BJJ’s tricky techniques and want them to stay.

Disagreement among BJJ Fans: Not all BJJ fans agree on this. Some, like Renzo Gracie, want BJJ in the Olympics. Others don’t. A leader quoted in BJJEE said the Olympics might control BJJ too much. This split makes it hard to move forward with Olympic plans.

Could Jiu Jitsu Be in the Olympics Someday?

Could the answer to “Is Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics?” ever be yes? It might happen, but it’ll take time. The SJJIF is working to create one set of rules and get more countries playing BJJ. CP World Games says BJJ needs to be popular in more places and have one main leader. If this happens, BJJ could be in the Olympics by the 2030s or later. For now, Jiu Jitsu isn’t in the Olympics, but there’s hope for the future.

Comparing BJJ to Olympic Martial Arts

Here’s how BJJ measures up to Olympic martial arts:

This table, based on RoninAthletics and Wikipedia, shows why “Is Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics?” is still a no.

Fianl Words: Is Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics

BJJ faces issues like multiple governing bodies, similarity to Judo, and limited global reach. Groups like the SJJIF are working to change this by unifying rules and spreading the sport. If BJJ joins the Olympics, it could gain more fans and support. But some fear it might lose its core. For now Jiu Jitsu is not in the Olympics. remains a no. Fans can enjoy BJJ in tournaments like the IBJJF Worlds and hope for an Olympic future.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics?

No, as of June 2025, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is not an Olympic sport. It doesn’t meet all International Olympic Committee (IOC) standards, like having a single governing body or enough global reach.

Why isn’t Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics?

BJJ faces challenges: it has multiple organizations with different rules, it’s seen as too similar to Judo (an Olympic sport), and it’s not played widely enough in countries.

Is Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics?

No, as of June 2025, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is not an Olympic sport. It doesn’t meet all International Olympic Committee (IOC) standards, like having a single governing body or enough global reach.

Why isn’t Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics?

BJJ faces challenges: it has multiple organizations with different rules, it’s seen as too similar to Judo (an Olympic sport), and it’s not played widely enough in countries across various continents.

Could Jiu Jitsu be in the Olympics someday?

Yes, it’s possible. Groups like the Sport Jiu Jitsu International Federation are working to unify rules and grow BJJ’s global presence, which could lead to Olympic inclusion, but this process will take several years.

What would happen if Jiu Jitsu joined the Olympics?

BJJ could attract more fans, increase its popularity, and gain extra funding for training facilities and coaches. However, some worry that Olympic rules might simplify its unique techniques, changing its core style.

Are other martial arts in the Olympics?

Yes, Judo, Taekwondo, and Karate are Olympic sports. They have unified rules, are practiced in many countries worldwide, and draw large audiences due to their exciting formats.