UAA Judo and Jiu Jitsu is hosting the first organized combined judo and jiu jitsu tournament in Alaska, according to event organizers.
The tournament will take place from 9:30 a.m. to about 6 p.m. Saturday at Wendler Middle School and will feature competitors from both martial arts disciplines fighting side-by-side, and challenging each other outside their respective disciplines. The event is free to the public.
The two styles of martial arts have the same roots, but evolved different sets of rules. The tournament will allow the contestants to compete under both rule sets.
The rules of Judo allow competitors to focus on throws and transitions to quick ground fighting while Jiu Jitsu competitors focus predominantly on ground fighting.
After the tournament, the club will hold a clinic that will be open to spectators at the event.