You know how sometimes you can enjoy two things equally, but know they should never be combined? One can, for example, appreciate Japanese and Italian cuisine with equal gusto, but in no sane universe should you start adding soy sauce to your spaghetti.
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This new combat sport we’re talking about today mixes two of my personal passions into some god-awful creation that is a novelty at best and an injury hazard at worst. You see, I like cars. A lot. That’s why I earn my paycheck by writing words on this website. I also love Brazilian jiu-jitsu. When I’m not covering industry events or exploring the inner workings of the latest car at your dealership, I’m usually on the mats playing a game of human chess. I’ve been at it for roughly eight years and I’m currently a purple belt. I say this not to tout myself as some badass automotive journalist, but to illustrate just how deep my affinity runs.
But what happens when you combine two of my lifelong passions? You get...this.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is what’s known as ‘car-jitsu.’ Like the name implies, it involves grappling until someone gives up set within the confines of a car. There are rounds and parameters for each contest, and the winner is decided via submission—choking your opponent or tweaking one of their limbs until they cry uncle—or points accumulated by gaining dominant positions. The combatants can use everything at their disposal to secure victory, including the seatbelts. The concept apparently started in Russia.
On paper, it should have guys like me giddy with excitement. In reality, though, I’m mostly confused. I mean, what’s the point? Some will find it entertaining, but the format eliminates most of the techniques found in regular jiu-jitsu contests, so I feel the novelty wears out after a short while. There is also an increased risk of getting a limb caught in a cup holder, leading to possible injury. And those poor, poor cars.
It seems like good training for self-defense in the event of a carjacking. So that’s...cool? I guess?
