Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combative sport and a self-defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting. The art was created in Japan in the early 19th century. It promotes the principle that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique-most notably by applying joint-locks and chokeholds to defeat the opponent. In 1914 a Japanese Judo and Jiu-Jitsu master named Mitsuo Maeda came to Brazil. In return for help from the Brazilian Politician Gastao Gracie, Maeda taught Jiu-Jitsu to Gastao’s son Carlos. Carlos in turn taught his brothers (most notably Helio). They went on to further refine the art developing what is now known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be trained for sport grappling tournaments and mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions as well as an effective self defense system.