The Indiana Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy (IBJJA) in Greenwood is Central Indiana’s longest-running Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/Mixed Martial Arts Academy, celebrating its 25th anniversary last month.
In 1993, James Clingerman became captivated by the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where the victor, Royce Gracie, utilized Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to defeat his opponents.
“I have always been a martial arts enthusiast, and this caught my attention. It demonstrated the effectiveness of Jiu-Jitsu,” Clingerman mentioned. “I began my training at a gym in Westfield, then connected with individuals in New Palestine who were conducting classes in their garage.”
In 2000, Clingerman’s mentor established the inaugural IBJJA classroom. Serving as one of three assistant coaches, Clingerman later opened a second Academy under the same name.
IBJJA provides kickboxing, Judo, and Jiu-Jitsu for both youth and adults. Additionally, they offer a fitness center with options for private lessons.
For those unfamiliar with martial arts, Clingerman explained that personal preference plays a significant role in selecting a discipline.
“If you seek physical fitness and enjoy practicing striking techniques, kickboxing would be a suitable choice,” Clingerman noted. “For self-defense purposes, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stands out as an exceptional option, particularly for women, and also offers great physical fitness benefits.”
In contrast to other martial arts where opponents often engage on equal footing, Jiu-Jitsu focuses on gaining a superior position.
“In Jiu-Jitsu, you leverage your technique and agility against opponents who may possess greater size or strength. The objective is to bring the fight to the ground, establish dominance, and secure victory with a chokehold, arm lock, or leg lock,” added Clingerman.
Progressing through the ranks of expertise, practitioners can advance from white to black belts through dedicated training.
After several months of training, individuals ranging from six-year-olds to seniors can choose to participate in competitive events, fostering strong social bonds among participants.
Reflecting on the evolution of IBJJA, Clingerman takes pride in its journey from a garage startup to a commercial space in Greenwood in 2003. Since dedicating himself to training others and managing the business in 2008, IBJJA has experienced substantial growth.
“About two and a half years ago, we relocated to our current facility off US 31. Having hired my sister and another coach on a full-time basis has been instrumental in our success,” Clingerman shared.
While Jiu-Jitsu may not always appear flashy, with practitioners somersaulting through the air or executing high kicks, the discipline has the potential to make a profound impact on individuals’ lives.
“I often remind people – there’s no such thing as a lucky Jiu-Jitsu move. Even if I possess striking skills, a lucky punch could catch me off guard. With Jiu-Jitsu, it’s about mastering strategic positioning and executing moves effectively,” concluded Clingerman.
Comments 1
As your Dad, I am very proud of you. I remember when you where in high school, and we were having dinner and, some how we started talking about your goals for your future. And you said by the time that you were 25 yrs. old you wanted to have your own school and teach Martial Arts. You obtained that goal and in my opinion made a name for yourself in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu in Indiana.
Very Proud Dad
Love you James