Travis County Expo Centers hosts Gi Grappling competition

The National American Grappling Association came to the Travis County Expo Center this weekend for a regional competition.   Grappling appears similar to Greco-Roman wrestling, but quickly resembles a regulated street brawl. There are two types of grappling, Gi and No-Gi, differing in technique, rules, but the most notably, in clothing.  

A “gi” can also be called a “kimono” and consists of a pair of heavy cotton drawstring pants, a heavy cotton jacket with a thick collar, and a hem that is notched on either side.  In gi grappling, the sleeves, collar and  pant legs can be used to gain control over the opponent.   Competitors can execute collar chokes, or use the sleeve or the hem of the gi to tie up an opponent’s arm or hand. 

Gi matches range between 3 and 5 minutes and appear to be favored by younger participants, ranging in age from five years to middle-teens.   Matches generally prohibit a maneuver called a heel hook.  A heel hook puts potentially serious pressure on the knee which become extremely dangerous in gi pants.