5 Reasons Why BJJ Is More Popular Than Judo | The Shintaro Higashi Show

In this episode, Shintaro Higashi breaks down 5 unexpected reasons why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is more popular than Judo—and it’s not just about leg grabs or rule sets. From space efficiency to community building, he takes a thoughtful and honest look at how BJJ has outpaced Judo, especially in the U.S. martial arts scene.🎙️ Timestamps & Topics Covered:00:00 Introduction – Why BJJ is More Popular Than Judo01:00 #1: Space Efficiency & Business Viability04:00 Instructor Visibility & Mat Awareness04:40 #2: BJJ Appeals to Older Demographics06:00 Isometric Strength and “Old Man Jiu-Jitsu”06:30 #3: Gamification Makes BJJ Stickier for Newcomers07:30 Small Wins & Positive Feedback Loops in BJJ08:00 #4: Accessibility of Champions & Community Building08:45 Language Barriers in Judo vs BJJ Media Presence09:40 #5: Judo’s Tradition and Bureaucratic Barriers10:30 Ranking Systems, Formalties & Frustration12:00 The Risk of Shrinking Judo in the U.S.12:40 Bonus: Tournament Structure & Mat Utilization13:30 Time Efficiency and Customer Experience at EventsLet’s keep the discussion positive—drop your solutions and ideas in the comments on how to grow Judo without defaulting to the usual complaints.🚨 LIMITED-TIME OFFER: 40% OFF 🚨The All-in-One Instructional Bundle just got even better.Every major instructional. One complete system. Now at our biggest discount yet.Grab yours now at 40% off : https://higashibrand.com/products/all-instructionalsThis won’t last. Build your game today.🔥 Get 20% OFF FUJI Gear! 🔥Looking to level up your judo training with the best gear? FUJI Sports has you covered. Use my exclusive link to grab 20% OFF high-quality gis, belts, bags, and more.👉 https://www.fujisports.com/JUDOSHINTARO 👈No code needed – just click and save!Links:🇯🇵 Kokushi Budo Institute (The Dojo) Class Schedule in New York, NY 🗽: https://www.kokushibudo.com/schedule🇯🇵 Higashi Brand Merch & Instructionals: https://www.higashibrand.com📚 Shintari Higashi x BJJ Fanatics Judo Courses & Instructionals Collection: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/shintaro-higashi/

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Welcome to The Shintaro Higashi Show, where martial arts, life, and business collide. Hosted by Shintaro Higashi—Judo and BJJ black belt, former world-level competitor, and lifelong grappler (wrestling and sambo)—this podcast dives into training, competition, coaching, and life on and off the mats. Expect deep dives into technique, strategy, and mindset, plus unfiltered takes on the martial arts world. Whether you're a competitor, coach, or just a fan of combat sports, this show has something for you!