Athletes compete in Taiyuan International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship on Aug 25. [Photo/sxrb.com]

The 2018 Taiyuan International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship opened in Shanxi Sports Center on Aug 25, attracting 392 athletes from 18 countries including the United States, France and Germany.

Originating in India about 2,000 years ago, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been developed for years in Brazil, the United States, Japan and the United Arab Emirates as well as become popular among young people in China.

The 392 entries from more than 40 teams of 19 countries included 105 child athletes and 39 women athletes.

The championship was sponsored by Shanxi Sports Bureau and UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, a Brazilian leading organization for supporting Jiu-Jitsu development.

It is the first time that Shanxi has held an international Jiu-Jitsu championship, and is the first step towards developing the sport of Jiu-Jitsu in the province.

The event will provide Jiu-Jitsu enthusiasts with an international platform to communicate skills and promote sports and cultural communication between Shanxi and Brazil, said Zhao Xiaochun, director of Shanxi Sports Bureau.

To further enhance Jiu-Jitsu's influence among youth, the sponsors will hold a series of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu promotion events in Shanxi schools.