Guru Walter Rolls Out Brazilian Jiu Jitsu In Temple City

Guru Walter Rolls Out Brazilian Jiu Jitsu In Temple City

What happens when Brazil meets Bhubaneswar? Well, Jiu Jitsu happens.

The capital city which has turned into a sports hub is now becoming home to internationally popular martial art Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

For the starters, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a form of martial arts that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. The fighter quickly throws the opponent down to apply BJJ techniques. Today, most of the street fights end on the ground and that’s where the BJJ action starts. With Jiu Jitsu, one can fight a heavier or stronger opponent using strategies and force him/her to submit. Age is immaterial for this sport; men, women, children and even old people can practise it. If you search online videos, you can even see a 90 year old man doing BJJ!

This new revolution in Bhubaneswar is courtesy BJJ teacher Walter Jesus from Brazil. A BJJ black belt holder and also winner of several international medals, Walter recently shifted to Bhubaneswar. He teaches BJJ at his own academy named “BJJ Gracie Barra Kalinga” at Prabhujee English Medium School. There are 700 Gracie Barra schools across the world but Bhubaneswar is the only city in India to have it.

Walter has trained under legendary teacher Carlos Gracie of the famous ‘Gracie family’ from Brazil. This family is the torchbearer of the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsuand also started the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The Gracie family members have won against several heavyweight wrestlers, fighters from other martial arts proving the supremacy of BJJ.Several Hollywood films like Lethal Weapon, Flash Point, Fast and Furious have BJJ action sequences. Today, Hollywood stars like Ashton Kutcher, Keanu Reeves and singers Demi Lovato and Usher also practice BJJ.

The infrastructure at Prabhujee EM School is substantial with availability of a long spread mat, boxing punching bag, gloves, gym equipment where students practice every day except Sunday. Students in the age group of 10 to 40 are currently enrolled. Both boys and girls practice together so that the sense of unity is maintained. The class starts with some basic warm-ups and then techniques are taught. Later, the students are put on specific training where they have to apply the techniques with resistance from the opponent. These are followed by full-fledged fights – popularly called ‘rolling’ – which prepare the students for future tournaments.

The basic BJJ drills taught are armbar, putting in guard, passing the guard, chokes, taking the back, side control, spider guard, triangle choke and also individual escapes from each position.

BJJ guru Walter, also popular as Danny, plans to put Odisha on the national and international map through the martial art. “For that students need to have discipline, sincerity and determination needed for success. I have been to many countries across the globe but I have a lot of love for Odisha and people here,” he told My City Links.No wonder, the BJJ team from Odisha won several medals at Nashik (Maharashtra) in May last year and also at Rohtak (Haryana) in August at the national level tournament. The performance of the Odisha BJJ team under Walter was so spectacular at Rohtak that the audience was awestruck. Currently, they are preparing for the nationals at Chennai scheduled in March end and planning to bring more achievements for Odisha.

Those enrolled are, no doubt, highly motivated. Sailesh Mohanty, an Arts student of BJB College says Jiu Jitsu taught him how to win a fight without fighting at all. “Here, we all bow down to patience and control. I’m lucky to learn BJJ from one of the most authentic sources – my trainer Danny. He has remained a constant inspiration that makes me push myself off limits.” Walter says practicing BJJ makes one more equipped to face the challenges of life because it enables one to endure pressure and always find a new way to come out of it. “I have seen many doctors, engineers or professionals who have continued BJJ along with their professions and have been tremendously benefited in their daily lives.”Mickey Ayasakanta Nanda, a senior HR professional in Bhubaneswar who practices BJJ agrees. “As a guy about to hit my 40s, the coach takes great care while training me in martial arts and customizes fitness routines that suit my age and flexibility. I think people from the corporate should get in touch with him if they want to transition from fat to fit.”

An executive engineer with ONGC Srikant Khuntia thinks BJJ is like the best form of martial arts. “It is a blessing for Odisha to have a coach like Danny. He has loads of experience and can guide for MMA and self defence. He constantly pushes us to increase our strength and stamina along with great techniques.”

Walter who believes a lot in spirituality and has also taught several orphan kids who learnt the art very quickly feels parents should encourage their kids to learn this art as it helps them to become more disciplined, focused and better individuals.

While BJJ can be a superb form of self defence for women, it also sharpens a person’s mind just like a game of chess. It builds strong individuals and everything learnt on the mat can be applied in real life. Also in the international fighting arena, BJJ has become so essential that all the top MMA fighters today have a solid foundation in BJJ.