Societies at the University of Leicester give students an opportunity to make life-long friends, learn a new skill, build on their teamwork with other students and get involved in university activities. One such society, the Jiu-Jitsu society, celebrated 30 years in 2021 since it was formed.

We spoke to Isaac Bitelli, current Captain of the University of Leicester Jiu-Jitsu club and their 1992 club Captain, Soke Dr Richard Catterick about their founding, their achievements and how they feel celebrating 30 years of Jiu-Jitsu at the University, during the University's Centenary year.

Founded in September of 1991, the society ran as an unofficial club at the University of Leicester, later becoming official in the Autumn of 1992. The first club Captain was Joanne Harvey, with Kevin Sharkey as the club's Secretary and a total of 8 to 10 members.

Soke comments: "It's crazy to think the club has now been running for 30 years. It has become an institution in Leicester that produces quality martial artists and all-round great people. I am proud to have been part of its history."

Isaac added: "I am proud that I can not only be part of, but also shaping something that has been around many years before I was born and will hopefully be around many years after I am dead."

Jiu-Jitsu was founded originally in Japan as a family of Japanese martial arts and a system of close combat. The style practiced at the University is its own, founded by Soke Dr Richard Catterick. Training takes place at the Danielle Brown Sports Centre on Tuesdays 7:00pm–8:30pm and Thursdays 7:30pm–9:00pm.