By: Shaunak Raikar
For engineering students at UW-Madison, Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a sport. It’s a test of strategy, discipline, and resilience, while also helping develop life skills.
For engineering students at UW-Madison, critical thinking is second nature. Students develop this skill through rigorous education which requires dedication, discipline, and adaptability. Some of these future engineers take problem solving beyond education, bringing it onto the mats of the UW-Madison Jiu-Jitsu club.
Jiu-Jitsu, nicknamed “human chess,” reflects many components of engineering by requiring strong analytical thinking and perseverance. This is a martial art that emphasizes leverage, technique, and control rather than pure strength. In contrast to many striking based martial arts, Jiu-Jitsu primarily focuses on grappling, positioning, and submissions, meaning that a smaller, skilled practitioner can outmaneuver a larger, stronger opponent. Jiu-Jitsu is also different from other grappling mixed martial arts through its focus on ground orientated combat instead of takedowns or throws.
All mixed martial arts are challenging, both physically and mentally. Megan Beyer, a first-year mechanical engineering graduate student and former president of the club, believes that Jiu-Jitsu and engineering share a common thread of resilience.
“Jiu-Jitsu is a grind,” Beyer says. “It forces you to be resilient, to keep coming back even when things don’t go your way. Engineering is the same. You don’t always get the answer right away, but you push through until you do.”
“Jiu-Jitsu forces you to stay in the moment. When you’re rolling, there’s no time to check your phone or worry about deadlines. It’s just you, your opponent, and the next move.”
Joel Collier, a freshman majoring in electrical engineering, began Jiu-Jitsu five months ago. At first, he joined the Jiu-Jitsu club to stay active and meet new people after spending years playing tennis. However, he quickly realized that the sport offered much more than just a workout.
Collier states, “It really teaches you humility…And another thing is, you’ve got to take everything one step at a time, and that’s a really good skill to work on in life.”
Beyond discipline and resilience, many students in the clubs agree that Jiu-Jitsu has improved the way they manage stress. Engineering coursework is known for being demanding, often leaving students feeling overwhelmed. Some students went on to explain how Jiu-Jitsu provides an escape, and a place where they can focus solely on the current moment.
“I come to the gym and I’m just on my phone in between my set.” Beyer explains, “But here it’s like an hour and a half. I’m not looking at my phone. It’s like almost Do Not Disturb in my brain.”
For those interested in joining, the UW-Madison Jiu-Jitsu club is open to people of all levels. In this club, training and commitment are in the hands of the practitioner, allowing for a pace suitable for each member’s needs.
As Collier concludes, “I think our club is a great inclusive environment for both beginners and experienced grapplers to grow, and we have amazing coaches.”
Classes in the Jiu-Jitsu club begin with a warmup that transitions to drilling a fundamental technique – this helps ensure that every member develops a well-rounded skill set. Further instruction is also provided to beginners and intermediates, which helps keep everyone progressing at a steady pace. After drilling is reserved for sparring that facilitates competition across skill levels and provides the opportunity to display what you have learned.
Whether you’re looking for a new hobby, a way to stay active, a stress reliever, or a way to apply your skills in a different setting, the UW-Madison Jiu-Jitsu club offers a supportive and engaging environment.