Sunday, December 30, 2012

BJJ Kimono, What They Are And How To Buy Them

By Adam Davis


BJJ Kimonos or Brazilian JiuJitsu Kimonos are a style of Martial Arts Clothing worn by practitioners of the Brazilian Style of JiuJitsu. Some of the important points you should consider when buying a BJJ Kimono include the allowed colors and places where you could buy quality Gis. Grappling and ground fighting are expected to be executed during a match of Brazilian jiu jitsu. Kodoka Judo has a lot of forms and one of them, the Kosen judo, is recognized as the root of BJJ. This discipline was learned by Carlos Gracie from Mitsuyo Maeda. Carlos Gracie then adapted it into Brazilian JiuJitsu, a form that has been passed down from the Gracie family ever since.

The Gi used in Brazilian jiu jitsu got its influences from the Japanese kimono. While the jacket is made of cotton, it is quite difficult. A pair of reinforced trousers completes the look A belt is also worn over the jacket. The belt works two ways: as one that holds the trousers up, and as a rank indicator of the wearer of said Gi and belt. If you notice, participants wear only either blue, white or black. when they are joining competitions, particularly on the international scale. The rules for Kimonos or Gis are set by the International Brazilian JiuJitsu Federation. To make things more set in stone, this stipulation on the use of the BJJ Kimono has been set forth in Article 8, as pronounced by IBJJF itself.

The cloth or fabric used on the gi must be of good quality and in good condition, preferably cotton. The Gi should be made with fabric that will allow movement and would not obstruct the practitioners from carrying out various BJJ moves. Gi Colors may be black, white or blue, no combined colors (white kimono with blue pants, etc.) The jacket should be long, but not too much. Thigh-length would be ideal. The sleeves should also be wrist-length. Sleeve length is prescribed by the IBJJF. Follow the measurements as indicated. Choose a belt that coincides with your rank, and make sure it is 4-5 cm wide. The belt must be tied around the waist with a double knot, tight enough to secure the kimono closed. An extremely worn/discolored belt may need to be replaced before competing.

Rules are strict: if you have the wrong measurements, you cannot compete. Generally, you cannot wear a shirt under the kimono, although some concessions are made on this bit when it comes to female competitors. Never paint on your gi as a form of self-expression. If it's a team competition, however, this could probably be allowed. Where You Can Buy Your BJJ Kimono The best place to start when considering where to purchase a Kimono or Gi, is your school or Dojo. If the dojo does not sell any kimonos, they may be buying their gear from a specific vendor. You can be assured that you will get quality gear and at a price you can easily afford.

However, online purchases offer the advantage of a better price, and oftentimes no taxes. On the other hand, there are many choices for vendors online and it's difficult to know who sells legitimate, high quality equipment. Seeking advice from people you know, especially those from your own dojo, would be a good idea. Another option is to go to the source. The Gracie school actually sells a lot of BJJ gear that you can choose from. As the progenitor of the art, they stand behind their product. Since you cannot practice Brazilian JiuJitsu without a proper BJJ kimono, make sure you get one. You should also see to it that it will fit you perfectly. Take what the experts say under advisement. A good place to start may be your BJJ School or Dojo.




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