18
Mar
Grappling for Respect: Women in Jiu-Jitsu
by Nalea J. Ko
0 Comments | Posted by thatgirl in Making Waves
Twenty-nine-year-old Christy Thomas is not afraid to stand tall in a sport that has been traditionally dominated by men.
The 6-foot-1, two-striped brown belt has trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu for nearly eight years, incurring numerous injuries in the sport including popped ribs, sprained ankles and twisted fingers. Once, during training, she was thrown by a 300-pound man. But despite the wounds, Thomas says jiu-jitsu is an inseparable part of her life, and she will continue to fight for a female presence in the sport.
“When I first started there were tournaments that wouldn’t give women’s points to the teams. We were clumped in with the kids,” Thomas explained. “So, I actually talked to promoters and told them that if they didn’t include us I wouldn’t compete. It sparked a lot more competition.”
Thomas is training for the 2009 Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship slated for this month in Carson, Calif. She is co-owner of the Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Austin Association in Texas. Jiu-jitsu is her passion, but being a martial artist does not mean she has to sacrifice her femininity.
“I don’t just hang out with jocks all day,” Thomas said. “[Growing up] I wasn’t necessarily a tomboy, but I was definitely an athlete. I definitely grew up with boys, but I am very much a girl. I don’t like bugs.”
Co-owner Phil Cardella said he has seen Thomas grow as an athlete since she started in 2001. “She’s improved a lot. Now she’s been beating black belts.”
Eight to 10 women are enrolled in the academy, but maintaining women’s interest jiu-jitsu has proven difficult. Of the women registered with the academy, Thomas said about three have trained consistently. Most have left to have children or moved to a different town, said Thomas. But Thomas said those truly passionate about jiu-jitsu have successfully grappled for more respect in the sport alongside the men.
Cardella, who is a black belt, said it is important for men and women to train together because, “More than likely they’re [women] going to get attacked by men, not women.”
Thomas agrees, stating that, “Training with men and women is crucial. Men in your similar weight categories are for sure going to be stronger, but in jiu-jitsu the biggest person is not always going to win.”
Jiu-jitsu is distinguished from other martial arts as a combat sport, primarily involving grappling and ground fighting. It derived from judo, and teaches students how to defend by using submission holds. Thomas said jiu-jitsu not only teaches students how to defend themselves, but it is a confidence builder.
White belt Amber Tarcha, who trains at the academy, echoed that sentiment. “I am a 5-foot-3, 126-pound girl. Jiu jitsu has taught me that even though I am smaller, I can leverage my strong points to gain control over a 200-pound muscle guy.” Tarcha added, “If that’s not empowerment … I don’t know what is.”
For Thomas jiu-jitsu is not simply for self-defense, but it is her part of her everyday regiment. “Jiu-jitsu for me is a way of life. I definitely could not be without it at this point in my life,” Thomas said.
Thomas is traveling with one other woman from her academy to compete in the Pan Jiu-Jitsu Competition from March 27 to March 29. Read more information Pan Jiu-Jitsu Competition.
photos by shama ko