WHAT IS BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU
WHAT IS BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and self-defence system focusing on ground fighting and grappling techniques. It relies on body leverage to control opponents, allowing smaller individuals to defend against larger aggressors through techniques like joint locks and chokeholds. BJJ emphasises positional dominance achieved through throws, pins, and submissions rather than striking.
Training in BJJ offers benefits for sport grappling, MMA, self-defence, and fitness. The Rio Grappling Club prioritises grappling styles for their safety and effectiveness, minimising injuries through smart training and protective measures. With a focus on BJJ, Judo, and Olympic Wrestling, the club fosters independent thinking and resilience in practitioners.
Members of the Rio Grappling Club become part of a large community, as it is one of the largest BJJ affiliations in the world and the biggest in Cape Town and South Africa. Training in BJJ enhances personal growth and self-discovery, pushing individuals to reach their limits.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Gi)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a self-defense martial art and combat sport based on grappling (ne-waza) and submission holds. It focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, controlling one’s opponent, gaining a dominant position and using a number of techniques to force them into submission via joint locks or chokeholds.
Submission Wrestling (No Gi)
Submission Wrestling, also known as Submission Fighting, Submission grappling, Sport grappling, is a form of competition and a general term for martial arts and combat sports that focus on clinch and ground fighting with the aim of obtaining a submission through the use of submission holds. The term “submission wrestling” usually refers only to the form of competition and training that does not use a gi.
Self Defence
BJJ revolves around the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger, heavier opponent by using leverage and weight distribution, taking the fight to the ground and using a number of holds and submissions to defeat them. BJJ training can be used not only for sport grappling but also in self-defense situations.
BENEFITS
BENEFITS
Jiu-Jitsu is a sport of the mind, body, and soul. It has great benefits for the individual and the wider community:
- Promotes greater strength, flexibility, agility and stamina
- Promotes weight loss
- Reduces cholesterol and builds a stronger heart
- Greater control of muscular and cardiovascular health
- Learning techniques in a structured environment
- Improved blood circulation and reduced blood pressure
- Builds a stronger immune system
- Better balance, posture and graceful movements
- Greater speed of mind-to-body coordination
- Helps build more stable sleep patterns
- Builds self-confidence and self-esteem
- Teaches patience and composure
- Improves discipline and self-control
- Better ability to multitask
- Enhances the ability to maintain concentration for long periods
- Promotes willpower, perseverance, hard work and commitment
- Encourages dignity and being humble
- Promotes a motivational and upbeat spirit even after setbacks
- A higher level of overall happiness
- Teaches respect for peers and adults
- Builds a strong spirit of camaraderie and new friendships
- Maintains sportsmanship and the spirit of fairness
- Increases cooperation, interaction and teamwork
- Prioritises self-defence instead of aggression
- Socio-economic benefits from reducing obesity and related health complications
Nick Jonker
Our Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Coach Nick is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Coach with a rank of Black Belt earned in 2025. In addition to being a Jiu-Jitsu a boxing coach and personal trainer.
Nick Started Training in boxing at the age of 16 and started BJJ in 2015 with prior grappling and training beforehand. The result is over 19 Years of experience in training and competing in martial arts/ combat sports.
Nick is also an experienced wrestler, fight choreographer and regularly competed in BJJ & Boxing.
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlson Gracie> Sergio Souza > Roberto Atalla > Rico Hattingh > Nicholas Jonker
History of Rio Grappling
History of Rio Grappling
The Rio Grappling Club was founded in 2003 by Roberto Atalla. In 2005 his friend Mauro Chueng joined the team, and the Rio Grappling Club became a network. In 2009 Roberto Atalla, together with Rico Hattingh started Rio Grappling Club Cape Town
Roberto de Moraes Atalla practised Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling since 1990, competing since them. Graded black belt from my Master Sergio Souza (Bolão) in 1998, currently his is a 5th Dan graded.
Rico Hattingh is a local martial arts legend. In 2003 he became the 1st South African Heavyweight MMA Champion, and remained undefeated until his retirement in 2011. Rico is the leader and coordinator of the Rio Grappling Club in the Western Cape.