Comments on: Beijing 2008, The Games http://chicagoboyz.net/archives/6037.html Some Chicago Boyz know each other from student days at the University of Chicago. Others are Chicago boys in spirit. The blog name is also intended as a good-humored gesture of admiration for distinguished Chicago boys including those pictured above. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:24:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Dan from Madison http://chicagoboyz.net/archives/6037.html/comment-page-1#comment-258507 Dan from Madison Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:37:38 +0000 http://chicagoboyz.net/?p=6037#comment-258507 Steve - I would love to see Jiu-Jistu in the Games. Why not? But I like the standup of MT as well, although MT wouldn't really have that much interest worldwide. Then again, neither does ping pong. Steve – I would love to see Jiu-Jistu in the Games. Why not? But I like the standup of MT as well, although MT wouldn’t really have that much interest worldwide. Then again, neither does ping pong.

]]> By: Joshua http://chicagoboyz.net/archives/6037.html/comment-page-1#comment-258458 Joshua Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:26:53 +0000 http://chicagoboyz.net/?p=6037#comment-258458 Did anyone else happen to catch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BDcS82IkCs&feature=related" rel="nofollow">this pretty serious gaffe</a> during the opening ceremony? I see it's been making the rounds on some China-watching blogs. Did anyone else happen to catch this pretty serious gaffe during the opening ceremony? I see it’s been making the rounds on some China-watching blogs.

]]> By: Steve Johnson http://chicagoboyz.net/archives/6037.html/comment-page-1#comment-258419 Steve Johnson Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:05:22 +0000 http://chicagoboyz.net/?p=6037#comment-258419 To be a bit more clear in my last paragraph. When single art fighters fight practitioners of the four olympic martial arts almost never win. Almost all of these wins are by wrestlers. Of the single arts, MT and BJJ are totally dominant. Modern mixed martial arts is all about knowing MT, BJJ and wrestling (MT for striking and defending, wrestling for take downs and take down defense and BJJ for fighting for position on the ground and submissions). To be a bit more clear in my last paragraph. When single art fighters fight practitioners of the four olympic martial arts almost never win. Almost all of these wins are by wrestlers. Of the single arts, MT and BJJ are totally dominant. Modern mixed martial arts is all about knowing MT, BJJ and wrestling (MT for striking and defending, wrestling for take downs and take down defense and BJJ for fighting for position on the ground and submissions).

]]> By: Steve Johnson http://chicagoboyz.net/archives/6037.html/comment-page-1#comment-258418 Steve Johnson Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:00:31 +0000 http://chicagoboyz.net/?p=6037#comment-258418 "Seriously? Really? This almost gets me mad, as I can think of a different martial art that is so much more interesting that could replace this one in the Olympics. And I have heard of a movement to get MT into the next games, although I think it will probably falter." If the history of the UFC / Pride / K1, etc. show anything it's that there is exactly one martial art that is absolutely dominant (in that no master of any other martial art can win a competition with a master of this art): Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. All they would have to do to introduce it to the olympics is change the competition rules for Judo; don't stand the fighters up when they go to the ground, score ground positions (2 points for side control, 4 points for full mount / taking the back, still give points for take downs). Historically, judo grew out of jujitsu when they banned "deadly techniques" (eye gouges, biting, etc.). At that point the rules were similar to what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is today. The rules were then changed to the modern form so the crowd could see more throws which were thought to make for a more exciting sport. I think modern audiences can appreciate the technical skill involved in grappling on the ground. On top of everything, it's fully in the ancient olympic tradition. Personally I would love to see that art in the olympics. There are 4(!) martial arts represented and only wrestlers ever win competitions open to all fighters. Isn't that a bit odd? “Seriously? Really? This almost gets me mad, as I can think of a different martial art that is so much more interesting that could replace this one in the Olympics. And I have heard of a movement to get MT into the next games, although I think it will probably falter.”

If the history of the UFC / Pride / K1, etc. show anything it’s that there is exactly one martial art that is absolutely dominant (in that no master of any other martial art can win a competition with a master of this art): Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. All they would have to do to introduce it to the olympics is change the competition rules for Judo; don’t stand the fighters up when they go to the ground, score ground positions (2 points for side control, 4 points for full mount / taking the back, still give points for take downs). Historically, judo grew out of jujitsu when they banned “deadly techniques” (eye gouges, biting, etc.). At that point the rules were similar to what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is today. The rules were then changed to the modern form so the crowd could see more throws which were thought to make for a more exciting sport. I think modern audiences can appreciate the technical skill involved in grappling on the ground. On top of everything, it’s fully in the ancient olympic tradition.

Personally I would love to see that art in the olympics. There are 4(!) martial arts represented and only wrestlers ever win competitions open to all fighters. Isn’t that a bit odd?

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