JP Ferreira: “Jiu-jitsu will only become truly professional when we invest in training the whole ecosystem”
The PBJJF president tells VF Comunica that coaches, gym managers, referees, organizers and media need to grow together with the athletes
For jiu-jitsu to become a truly professional sport, it has to train more people than just its athletes. That is what JP Ferreira told VF Comunica in an interview. Ferreira is a black belt and the president of the PBJJF, a jiu-jitsu federation that runs tournaments in the United States and Brazil.
“Jiu-jitsu will only become truly professional when we invest in training the whole ecosystem. Not only athletes, but also coaches, managers, referees, event organizers and media professionals. Everyone needs to grow together so the sport can reach another level of professionalism,” he said.
What he means by “ecosystem”
By “ecosystem”, Ferreira means all the people who make the sport happen. That includes the coach who teaches the class, the manager who runs the gym, the referee who scores the match, the organizer who puts on the tournament and the media that covers it. For him, the sport moves forward when all of them prepare together with the athletes.
Who is JP Ferreira
João Paulo Ferreira, known as JP, leads the PBJJF. The federation started in North America and came to Brazil in 2024 with tournaments that pay cash prizes to the winners. On social media, he talks about leadership, business and education in jiu-jitsu.
Do you agree with him? What does jiu-jitsu still need to become a professional sport? Tell us in the comments.
