Ju-jitsu is a combat sport that combines techniques of both karate and judo. Tournaments are organized in six weight categories. Identification and classification of somatic build in top contestants practicing ju-jitsu is important for establishment of a model of champion for this discipline of professional sport. There is also no evaluation of the relationships between the sports level and technical and tactical preparation of the contestants. Objective The purpose of this study is to determine body composition, somatotype and technical diversification of both heavyweight and lightweight Polish Ju-jitsu fighters at super-elite and elite level, and consequences for coaching practice and procedural selection and individual training. Method The contestants comprised persons at both international (super-elite group, n = 12) and national level (elite group, n = 18). Individual fighting techniques were classified into nine groups, according to actions allowed during fighting: (a) in vertical position: hits with leg and hand, and arm, leg and hip throws and with the fall of the attacking opponent, (b) in horizontal position: grips, strangles, and joint locks. The variables dependent on weight category factor and level of sport achievements included age, height, weight, height-weight ratio (HWR) body mass index (BMI) and body composition (fat free mass index [FFMI], fat mass index [FMI], percent fat in body mass [%PF]), somatotype components endomorphy, mesomorphy, ectomorphy and the amount of techniques used in Ju-jitsu fight. Results The lightweight contestants revealed lower values of BMI than those of heavyweight category contestants. The same results were observed for FFMI. However, there are higher values of FMI and %PF in heavyweight category than in the lighter categories. In the range of mesomorphy component, supremacy of heavyweight contestants over lightweight contestants was observed. In the case of ectomorphy, it was the opposite. The number of techniques practiced was significantly higher in super-elite group than in elite group. Conclusions Body composition and somatotype which differentiate the players into weight categories were observed among men practicing ju-jitsu. It is necessary to strive for presentation of somatic profiles of players against the background of the people from the same country not practicing any sports. The players of higher sports level (super-elite group) practice more diversified attacks which favors domination over the opponent (elite group). Body composition and somatotype can affect selection of attack techniques preferred in fight and determine the performance level
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