The Rise of Tai-Jitsu: A Martial Art with Japanese Roots and Modern Adaptations

Of Japanese origin, tai-jitsu is based on the killing techniques used by ancient samurai warriors. The methodology has been adapted over the years until it becomes a martial art that combines the techniques of other sports such as judo, where the knockdown predominates, or karate, where the blow predominates. This is explained by Javier Peláez, president of the Llanera Tai-Jitsu Club, which has its headquarters in the Castillo de San Cucao and trains at the Posada municipal sports center.

The association is now almost fifteen years old. “It all came about when my coworkers found out that I practiced this sport and asked me to give them some self-defense classes,” explains Peláez. So he looked for a gym close to the Llanera Technology Park, where he works. “The owner liked it so much that he suggested I give some classes,” he recalls.

What started as a “course among colleagues” ended up becoming a sports club that currently has 60 athletes, all of them federated. “50 percent are girls and women, and 35 of the members are children between five and thirteen years old,” says the coach.

And this martial art is many things, but what stands out most about it is its “playful and educational” nature. They teach how to defend oneself from aggression, but “in a proportional manner and always trying to maintain the physical integrity of the aggressor.” Never with the intention of harming or being cruel. Something that is very important for younger minors.

Javier Peláez emphasizes that “since the pandemic we have experienced a growth in people who want to come learn tai-jitsu.” On the one hand, “parents who want their children to do a different activity” and, on the other, “many adults over 40 years old are entering.”

This martial art has five different types of competition. among which are kata, randori, kumite and goshin shobu. Precisely, from the latter, several of the club’s athletes will participate this weekend in a regional championship in which they hope to achieve “very good results,” says Peláez.

And the sports entity has among its members several champions from Asturias and two runners-up from Spain. In addition, it is the tai-jitsu club that has the most licenses of all those in the Principality.

2024-03-16 04:31:42
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