Sidney Jiu-Jitsu Academy Gains Popularity

A little over two years ago, Derek Hill was living in Eaton, Colorado, and decided he needed a change in lifestyle from his job as a consultant for oil companies. So, he followed his passion for martial arts and found the town of Sidney, which he determined to be a perfect place to not only live, but to set up a Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

Jiu-Jitsu is a type of martial art that relies on leverage and grappling skills, similar to wrestling, but not as focused on strength and speed. It is focused on submission holds. Initially conceived in Japan, Jiu-Jitsu became popular in Brazil in the early 20th century when Judo and Jiu-Jitsu master Mitsuyo Maeda stopped in Brazil during his World Judo tour and helped a Japanese colony settle in northern Brazil. In return for helping the colony with land and cattle, Maeda bucked tradition and agreed to teach non-Japanese real Jiu-Jitsu. Brazilian diplomat Gastao Gracie, a Brazilian diplomat who aided the Japanese colony, had a son named Carlos that became fascinated with the martial art, and opened his own Jiu-Jitsu Academy under the Gracie name.

Recently with the popularity of Mixed Martial Arts and UFC fighting events, the Brazilian School of Jiu-Jitsu, popularized by Royce Gracie, has become a dominant style in the world of MMA. Although descended from the Japanese style, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu has differences, such as focusing on technique rather than brute strength. Focused on immobilizing and preventing attackers from injuring practitioners, any age or size can learn Jiu-Jitsu and use the techniques to defend themselves from attackers.

The Sidney Jiu-Jitsu Academy started at The Foundry in Sidney, then moved over to the Cheyenne County Community Center. It is fully equipped with crash mats and has plenty of available space for the classes.

Hill was able to take advantage of escalating home prices in Eaton, Co., and sold his home and moved to Sidney and opened his business. He started his training in Loveland, Co., and trained for over 10 years in a Royce Gracie school.

“I got two of my ranks from Rodrigo Gracie, Royce's nephew, then I joined the Machado School, cousins of the Gracies. I earned a brown belt from the Machado School,” said Hill. Hill started training at a very young age and became a Jiu-Jitsu National Champion at 10 years old. Hill also will prepare practitioners for competitions, which are usually held in the Denver area.

Rankings in Jiu-Jitsu are subjective, and don't necessarily mean a higher ranked practitioner is more skilled than another of a lower rank. The Sidney Academy has a few blue belts at this point, and Hill has the authority to confer ranks on his students. Classes are held nearly every day and include all skill and age ranges.

For more information about the Academy, visit the Cheyenne County Community Center or call Derek Hill at 308-249-0236 or contact via Facebook at Sidney Jiu-Jitsu Academy.