Inspired by judo, this martial art is enjoying growing success in France and champion Anne Roussel, from Frontignan in Hérault, hopes to prove it at the next world championships which will take place from August 31 to September 4 in the United States.
“I coughed up my lungs but it was great, and tonight is technical and fighting!“, enthuses Anne Roussel, coming out of her morning training. French and European champion of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (JJB), the fifty-year-old from Frontignan (Hérault), where she trains twice a day, has her sights set on the next world championships in Las Vegas (United States), from August 31 to September 4, 2023. The opportunity to surpass yourself and help popularize this rising martial art in France.
Illustration Brazilian Jiu-jitsu • © Raphaël Doumergue – France 3 Champagne-Ardenne
BJJ, sometimes nicknamed the “human chess game”, is a combat sport, derived from judo and developed in Brazil, which has notably won its acclaim by establishing itself as the most effective discipline during the first Mixed Martial Arts competitions (MMA, cage fighting where almost everything is allowed). His specialty: ground combat techniques, based on compressions, joint locks and strangulations. In BJJ, only strikes are prohibited.
I do it to prove to myself that I am capable of it, to make my team proud and to bring more visibility to BJJ.
Anne Roussel, French and European champion of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (blue belt)
Appeared in France 25 years ago, the discipline joined the judo federation in July 2021. Although it remains much less publicized than the very popular Japanese sport, it enjoys a significant fashion effect. “We passed the 15,000 licensee mark this year, compared to 8,500 a year ago, and we hope to reach 25,000 next year.exposes the French BJJ confederation.
These figures are still far from the enthusiasm encountered in Brazil or the United States, where the Gracie family teaches, to whom we owe the discipline. “That remains a new sport, especially compared to Judocontinues the confederation. It takes time to be publicized, we formed a national team only last year and the level of technicality required makes it less readable for the general public. From a distance it looks like just two people rolling on the ground, whereas in judo everyone knows that whoever knocks the other down first wins.“
Most discover BJJ through MMA, like Anne Roussel, who appreciates the less traumatic aspect. “That suited me better, because I was a little tired of taking hits after a while, laughs the former nurse. It’s less violent and I find it more technical.”
Even if she cannot claim financial support from the federation because of her age and her rank, Anne Roussel, who competes in blue belt, intends to represent France at the world championship in a month, usually trusted by Americans and Brazilians.
“I don’t have a sponsor yet. I have only been doing it for three years, and with my 50 years, I am clearly not the future of this sport, even if I won everything at the last French and European championships.“ This did not prevent her from passing the trainer’s diploma either.
It is a very fun sport, accessible to all and which presents a lower risk of injury than many martial arts.
David Giorsetti, President of the French BJJ Confederation
Due to the multitude of categories, depending on age, weight and grade, BJJ has this advantage, compared to most combat sports, of allowing everyone to be able to try their luck in major competitions (even with a simple white belt) and to participate in the most balanced fights possible.
To financially support the competitor, who had to pay for the plane ticket and the hotel out of her own pocket, a kitty is open online until August 15.
2023-07-23 05:35:21
#Brazilian #Jiujitsu #champion #Anne #Roussel #hopes #popularize #discipline #Worlds
