Singapore (Ju-Jitsu)
Contact Tel: Joseph Tan PBM: +65-9452 9466, Felix Fong; +65-8122 7233,
Dr. K. Henry; +65-9672 2186 Fax: +65-6736 2138
Singapore Jujitsu - A brief history
Jujitsu in Singapore started in 1998 at the Tanglin Community Club at Whitley Road. At the time, we had a dojo built on a wooden platform which had no walls on 2 sides! This associate had apparently met the JJIF President, Dr Paul Höglund on an overseas trip and had also gotten in touch with the AJJBWF Khalil Ahmed Khan, who at the time was driving the Asian Jujitsu effort. We were intrigued by the idea and went about raising funds to start a Jujitsu Association. We were quite success- ful in this as we had an enthusiastic group of volunteers including Fabian Lim, Joseph Tan, Stephen Chee and Laurent. Laurent was at the time a banker from France and he was instrumental in drafting the first syllabus for our Singapore Jujitsu. With the exception of Joseph, we were all experienced Judo men with experiences in other martial Arts. We remember clearly Paul’s first visit to our dojo as he encouraged us and help boost our confidence to proceed with our efforts. I still remember to this day when Khalil first visited us and we had lessons conducted in our dojo! Fabian received huge bruises on his thighs. He also advised us on the syllabus and briefed us on the Pakistan syllabus and training methods.
We finally succeeded in registering the JuJitsu Association (Singapore) in 2002 after many trials and tribulations. Khalil and Paul were to make many trips out to Singapore to guide and inspire us. Paul also arranged for a team from Sweden to visit Singapore and demonstrate the Duo System to us. Most memorably, he arranged for a number of Swedish Jujitsu textbooks to be sent to us and we could finally understand how to formalise our own teaching syllabus and methods! We spent many hours mulling over old texts and studying the teaching curriculum of Sweden, Pakistan, Canada and France!
It was an exciting moment when we first started classes in 2002 at Tanglin Community Club dojo. Our chosen colours were blue gi top and white gi pants and more than a dozen students signed up for the first class. We shifted to a temporary dojo while our permanent dojo was being constructed. However, it was not to be plain sailing as in 2003, the main instructor left to pursue his own business interests, Fabian left to do his PhD and Laurent left for Japan, leaving me to carry on alone! We also could not secure any government assistance for our funding needs as Jujitsu was not an Olympic sport. During this time, Paul, despite his obvious painful disability, made a few trips out to encourage us to carry on. We were cheered by the visits of Sensei Rinaldo and Frank Furst! We still remember the demo of a wrist lock given by Rinaldo which had us all cheering as he brought down one of our fit and strong student! We can also recall Paul's tireless efforts to promote Jujitsu in East Asia and we were visited by the Japanese representatives. Thus, it could be said that 2003 was the real start for Singapore Jujitsu!
The first batch of students recruited were all Black Belt holders from Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Silat and Muay Thai! Students from other martial Arts also joined us over time and we had practitioners of Wu Shu, Karate, Brazilian Jujitsu and even Ninjado! It was not easy as ego tends to get in the way of sense and the attrition rate was high. We set demanding standards and expected competencies in striking, throwing and take-downs and ground fighting including joint locks and techniques of strangulation. In our training Kumite, they were encouraged to try out different aspects of unarmed combat though always with the admonition to guard against injuries. Out of the scores of students who have joined us over these years, we have eventually trained 6 Dan grade holders. Many more are senior Kyu grade holders whom we expect to move on to Dan grade holders in the years ahead. From one dojo based at Tanglin Community Club, we now have 2 other dojos and expect to start 2 more dojos by early next year.
We train our students in various methods of striking including the use of elbows and knees, throwing and take-downs and many aspects of ground-fighting including ground kicks, choking and strangulation, upper and lower limb joint locks and positional strategy in ground fights. They also have to learn self-defence techniques against both unarmed and armed assailants and the use of the Hanbo in self-defence. Ultimately, they are expected to participate in both Duo and Fighting Systems of JJIF Championships. Towards this end, we have participated in both 1st and 2nd Asian Jujitsu Championships, and have earned 3 Bronze medals so far. We were slowed in our progress by the lack of government support and lack of awareness in the general public. We all hold full time jobs and participate in Jujitsu in our limited spare time out of our passion for the sport. Shortage of funds limit our overseas activity but we have still managed to grow albeit all these difficulties. Currently, we have plans for expansion and in 2009, we will go on a recruitment drive. We plan to participate in all future Asian activities such as the OCA Martial Arts Games next April in Bangkok and the OCA Indoor Games in Vietnam 2010. Hopefully also in the next JJIF World Championships at Pakistan 2010.
ABOUT US – Ju-Jitsu Association (Singapore) & its Affiliations
The Ju-Jitsu Association (Singapore) (JJAS) is the registered body for promoting Ju-Jitsu in Singapore. The primary objective of the JJAS is to promote Ju-Jitsu, both as a traditional martial art and as a sport and form of self-defense to the general public. The JJAS is affiliated with the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF), which is a full member of IWGA & GAISF. JJIF is also an International Federation recognized by Singapore National Olympic Council. JJAS also hold offices in the Asian Ju-Jitsu Belt Wrestling Federation, an affiliate member of Olympic Council of Asia. Ju-Jitsu is an Olympic- recognized sport in Asia. We have also been tasked by the Ju-Jitsu International Federation to promote Ju-Jitsu among the ASEAN neighbors.
Our Current Affiliations
JJIF – Ju-Jitsu International Federation
IWGA – International World Games Association
GAISF - General Assembly of International Sports Federations
AJJBWF – Asian Ju-Jitsu Belt Wrestling Federation
JJAS is a ROS registered Association in Singapore:
o Society registered 5th December 2000
o Government Gazette 22nd December 2000
o Gazette Notification Number 3653, Society Act (Chapter 311)
o Martial Arts Control Unit (MHA),
Certificate of Registration 2nd February 2001
Certificate Number A460
RESILIENCE PERSERVERANCE HARMONY
The Bamboo – symbol and heart of the Ju-Jitsu Association of Singapore
The groves of bamboo trunks in a circular form represents the philosophy of the Association. “Bamboo” the metaphorical representation of Ju-Jitsu, embodies precepts of suppleness of mind and body in dealing with adversity. The bamboo though ever-yielding is also very strong and will spring back vigorously because of its deep roots, just as Ju-Jitsu students must also be thoroughly rooted in the basics of our martial art.
The bamboo never grows alone, but in a grove. This is a reminder that to grow, we depend on and learn from each other. The grove also has bamboo of different ages represented by the different thickness of lines within the logo icon, depicting different generations helping each other grow.
The bamboo in a circular form signifies unity. A constant reminder to us to remain united in our purpose of perfecting our art, improving ourselves in mind, body and spirit, ultimately being able to contribute something of value to society.
The new logo’s emphasis was to create a more professional, traditional and established image for JJAS, without moving too far away from elements in our initial logo or depleting its original concept. Sans-serif fonts were used to enhance legibility. Colors selected are understated yet powerful.
? Copyrights Reserved no part of the JJAS logo are to be used unless with a written approval by JJAS
OUR COMMITTEE
Mr. Felix Fong Yuen Sum President Ju-Jitsu Association (Singapore)
BA. Advertising Marketing (RMIT)
Dip. Advertising & Communication (New York)
Dip. Fine Art (LaSalle College of the Arts Singapore)
Cert. Wealth Academy (AKLT)
Chairman, Marketing & Communications Committee, JJAS
Creative Consultant, Blue Dot Business Services
External Consultant, MWOS Singapore Polytechnic
Certified PA Trainer in Ju-Jitsu
Instructor JJAS (Tournament: Full Contact/Point System, Combat Ju-Jitsu, and Women’s Self Defence)
Instructor Taekwondo
1st Dan Ju-Jitsu (JJAS)
1st Dan Taekwondo (STF/WTF, and ITF Perth, Australia)
Muay Thai (Melbourne)
Specialized courses/workshops attended:
a. Boxing & MMA – by Rodney “Chico” King (SBGi) (Singapore)
b. Sambo – by Master Dashgombo Battulga
Dr Henry Kothagoda Vice President Ju-Jitsu Association (Singapore)
MBBS, GDOM, GDFM, Senior Physician
Designated Factory Doctor (Raffles Medial Group)
Honorary Treasurer, Asian Ju-Jitsu Belt Wrestling Federation
Chairman, Technical Committee & Examination Committee, JJAS
Chief Instructor JJAS
Certified PA Trainer in Ju-Jitsu
Certified PA Trainer in Judo
4th Dan Ju-Jitsu (JJIF)
3rd Dan Judo (International Judo Federation)
Mr. Joseph Tan Vice President Ju-Jitsu Association (Singapore)
Hang Kim PBM
Vice Chairman Tanglin CCMC,
Vice Chairman, Moulmein, Farrer Park RC,
Town Councillor, Tanjong Pagar Town Council
Chairman, Finance Committee JJAS
Chairman, Admin Committee JJAS
Businessman
Mr. Steven Koh Ngee Leng Auditor – Ju-Jitsu Association (Singapore)
Vice Chairman, Tanglin CC Management Committee
Asst. Secretary, Moulmein CCC
Chairman, Tanglin CC Martial Art Committee
Businessman
Mr. Ethan Chan Chiew Jin Secretary General - Ju-Jitsu Association (Singapore)
B. Comp (IT) (NUS)
JJAS Webmaster
Ms. Celestine Seet Siew Hua Assistant Secretary General Ju-Jitsu Association (Singapore)
Secretary, Technical Committee, JJAS
1ST Kyu, Ju-Jitsu (Brown Belt) (JJAS)
Undergraduate Psychology (NUS)
Mr. Kelvin Teo Hoon Tong Honorary Treasurer- Ju-Jitsu Association (Singapore)
1ST Dan Ju-Jitsu (JJAS)
JJAS Instructor, Ground Fighting
Certified PA Trainer in Ju-Jitsu
Dip. Management Studies
Businessman
Mr. Mubarak Bin Assistant Honorary Treasurer
Mochsin Abdat
Certified PA Trainer in Ju-Jitsu
JJAS National Team
JJAS Instructor, Full Contact Tournament
Silat – Purple Belt
1ST Dan Ju-Jitsu (JJAS)
Businessman
Mr. Ong Hong Keong Vice Chairman, Technical Committee, JJAS
Chief Unarmed Combat Instructor SAF
4th Dan Taekwondo (STF/WTF)
Mr. Wong Kin Jong Vice Chairman, Examination Committee, JJAS
Ret. LTA. Singapore Civil Defence Force
Former Judo National Coach (Singapore)
6th Dan Judo (Kodokan)
6th Dan Judo (International Judo Federation)
Mr. Aziz Bin Ismail Committee Member, JJAS
Certified PA Trainer in Ju-Jitsu
Certified PA Trainer in Silat
JJAS Instructor (Ju-Jitsu Duo System, Ju-Jitsu for Children,
Weapons training)
Silat – Purple Belt
1st Dan Ju-Jitsu (JJAS)
SMRT, Technical Officer
Ms. Agnes Cheng Ai Mun Committee Member, JJAS
TM Asia Life Executive Career Adviser
Mr. Wong Hon Khai Committee Member, JJAS
Jeffrey
TM Asia Life Senior Unit Manager
Mr. Muhammad Subhi Committee Member, JJAS
Bin Ismani
JJAS National Team
Silat- Purple Belt
2nd Kyu, Ju-Jitsu (Blue Belt) (JJAS)
CDF (NS Full Time)
ADVISORY BOARD
Dr Henry Kothagoda Medical Advisor
Mr Ho Han Ming Legal Advisor
Assc. Prof. Dr Fabian Lim Chin Leong Sports Science Advisor
OUR RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Ju-Jitsu Association (Singapore) has been registered under Registry of Society since end 2000; we have conducted Ju-Jitsu classes continuously at Tanglin Community Club since 2001. Following strict guidelines adopted from Ju-Jitsu International Federation, in the span of about 8 years, we currently have 9 Dan grade black belt holders registered with the Association, which 6 achieved qualified instructor status awarded by the People's Association.
In 2008 we started another Ju-Jitsu class at Bukit Batok Community Club and we are planning to open more classes in community clubs around Singapore.
We have participated in the 1st Asian Ju-Jitsu Championship in Kazakhstan in 2006, and the 2nd Asian Ju-Jitsu Championship in Kyrgyzstan in 2008. At both meets, our athletes won 3 Bronze medals.
For three consecutive years our Ju-Jitsu athletes have won Gold medals in the 4th, 5th & 6th Singapore All Style Martial Arts Championship, with 1 Silver Medal (Individual) and 1 Silver Medal (Team event). We have also won the Champion Trophy in the inaugural King Of The Cage (KOTC) a Mixed Martial Arts Championship in Singapore in 2007.
Ju-Jitsu Association (Singapore) also conducted and organized workshops by visiting experts from Pakistan, Sweden, Taiwan and India. Workshop with our Taiwanese counterpart was supported by SSC (High Performance Development Department) together with People's Association and Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF).