History Of Gracie Jiujitsu
Brazilian Jiu-JitsuIn 1914, Japanese jiu-jitsu champions Esai Maeda and Inomata arrived in Brazil to help establish a Japanese immigration colony in that developing country. He was aided by Gastao Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottish decent. To show his gratitude, the oriental master taught the basic secrets of that ancient fighting style to Gastao's son, Carlos Gracie.
Carlos taught Maeda's techniques to his brothers: Oswaldo, Gastao, Jorge and Helio and in 1925 they opened the first jiu-jitsu Academy in Botafogo, a district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Helio went a step further than his teachers by introducing techniques that required less strength than the Japanese style. Led by him, the brothers were driven by a constant determination to find effective ways to deal with every possible aspect of a real fight. Daring to break away from the traditional Japanese style, they began experimenting, modifying and perfecting simple techniques that would be effective regardless of stature. That is how the Gracie family developed this style of Jiu-Jitsu. Though this martial art descended from the ancient Japanese style, the differences are quite apparent. Many of the Japanese facets of the art which depended on physical prowess and stiff motion were tossed aside, leaving only pure technique.
At the age of 17, he first stepped into the ring in Frontao against a boxer named Antonio Portugal where Helio won in 30 seconds. Some of his astonishing feats include the longest fight in history: three hours and forty-five minutes, non-stop with his oldest student, Valdemar Santana; and he was the first jiu-jitsu master in the western world to practically defeat a Japanese jiu-jitsu master: Namiki in 1932. This was the first jiu-jitsu battle of his career and also the first time he wore a gi during a combat fight. Helio ended the fight with Namiki in his guard when the bell rang a few seconds before Namiki tapped out.
Another amazing performance of Helio was his brilliant fight against Kato, World Jiu Jitsu vice-champion, at Maracana Stadium which seats 120,000 people. The fight ended in a draw and Helio asked for a rematch. The second match, held in Ibirapuera Stadium in Sao Paulo, was a very technical fight. Helio defeated Kato with a choke hold. His victory brought glory to Brazil and international recognition to Helio's art in the Jiu-Jitsu world .
Upon defeating Kato, a challenge match was set between Helio and the world Japanese champion, Masahiko Kimura, probably the best fighter that Japan has ever produced. This historical match took place in 1951 and was held in the Maracana Stadium. At this time, Helio was 42 years old and weighed 63kg, and his opponent Kimura was 34 years old and weighed 100kg. The 37kg lighter Helio lost after his brother Carlos threw in the towel.
Helio also challenged boxing greats Primo Carnera and Ezzard Charles, and world champions Joe Louis and later Muhammad Ali, to matches to compare styles. They all declined.
An example of courage and determination, Helio became a national hero in Brazil. After a lifetime of combat, Helio taught into his 90's, he taught the art and has the same determination to live jiu-jitsu as his lifestyle. He is recognized as the creator of the style. He past away at 94 a great loss
to the Martial Arts worldwide.
After 70 years of mastering the art, Helio Gracie's youngest son from his first marriage, Rickson Gracie, is still keeping the Gracie Challenge alive. Rickson Gracie, the champion of the family for the last 16 years.
“The Jiu-Jitsu that I created was designed to give the weak ones a chance to face the heavy and strong. It was so successful that they decided to create a sportive version of it. I would like to make it clear that of course I am in favor of the sportive practice and technical refinement of all athletes, whatever their specialty may be, as well as good nutrition, sexual control, avoidance of addictions and unhealthy habits. The problem lies in the creation of a sport-oriented Jiu-Jitsu, based on rules and time limits, which benefits the heavier, stronger, and more athletic individuals. The primary objective of Jiu-Jitsu is to empower the weak who, for not having the physical attributes, are often intimidated. My Jiu-Jitsu is an art of self-defense in which rules and time limits are unacceptable. These are the reasons for which I can’t support events that reflect an anti Jiu-Jitsu.” -Grand Master Helio Gracie (October 1, 1913 – January 29, 2009)
Brazilian Jiu-JitsuIn 1914, Japanese jiu-jitsu champions Esai Maeda and Inomata arrived in Brazil to help establish a Japanese immigration colony in that developing country. He was aided by Gastao Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottish decent. To show his gratitude, the oriental master taught the basic secrets of that ancient fighting style to Gastao's son, Carlos Gracie.
Carlos taught Maeda's techniques to his brothers: Oswaldo, Gastao, Jorge and Helio and in 1925 they opened the first jiu-jitsu Academy in Botafogo, a district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Helio went a step further than his teachers by introducing techniques that required less strength than the Japanese style. Led by him, the brothers were driven by a constant determination to find effective ways to deal with every possible aspect of a real fight. Daring to break away from the traditional Japanese style, they began experimenting, modifying and perfecting simple techniques that would be effective regardless of stature. That is how the Gracie family developed this style of Jiu-Jitsu. Though this martial art descended from the ancient Japanese style, the differences are quite apparent. Many of the Japanese facets of the art which depended on physical prowess and stiff motion were tossed aside, leaving only pure technique.
At the age of 17, he first stepped into the ring in Frontao against a boxer named Antonio Portugal where Helio won in 30 seconds. Some of his astonishing feats include the longest fight in history: three hours and forty-five minutes, non-stop with his oldest student, Valdemar Santana; and he was the first jiu-jitsu master in the western world to practically defeat a Japanese jiu-jitsu master: Namiki in 1932. This was the first jiu-jitsu battle of his career and also the first time he wore a gi during a combat fight. Helio ended the fight with Namiki in his guard when the bell rang a few seconds before Namiki tapped out.
Another amazing performance of Helio was his brilliant fight against Kato, World Jiu Jitsu vice-champion, at Maracana Stadium which seats 120,000 people. The fight ended in a draw and Helio asked for a rematch. The second match, held in Ibirapuera Stadium in Sao Paulo, was a very technical fight. Helio defeated Kato with a choke hold. His victory brought glory to Brazil and international recognition to Helio's art in the Jiu-Jitsu world .
Upon defeating Kato, a challenge match was set between Helio and the world Japanese champion, Masahiko Kimura, probably the best fighter that Japan has ever produced. This historical match took place in 1951 and was held in the Maracana Stadium. At this time, Helio was 42 years old and weighed 63kg, and his opponent Kimura was 34 years old and weighed 100kg. The 37kg lighter Helio lost after his brother Carlos threw in the towel.
Helio also challenged boxing greats Primo Carnera and Ezzard Charles, and world champions Joe Louis and later Muhammad Ali, to matches to compare styles. They all declined.
An example of courage and determination, Helio became a national hero in Brazil. After a lifetime of combat, Helio taught into his 90's, he taught the art and has the same determination to live jiu-jitsu as his lifestyle. He is recognized as the creator of the style. He past away at 94 a great loss
to the Martial Arts worldwide.
After 70 years of mastering the art, Helio Gracie's youngest son from his first marriage, Rickson Gracie, is still keeping the Gracie Challenge alive. Rickson Gracie, the champion of the family for the last 16 years.
“The Jiu-Jitsu that I created was designed to give the weak ones a chance to face the heavy and strong. It was so successful that they decided to create a sportive version of it. I would like to make it clear that of course I am in favor of the sportive practice and technical refinement of all athletes, whatever their specialty may be, as well as good nutrition, sexual control, avoidance of addictions and unhealthy habits. The problem lies in the creation of a sport-oriented Jiu-Jitsu, based on rules and time limits, which benefits the heavier, stronger, and more athletic individuals. The primary objective of Jiu-Jitsu is to empower the weak who, for not having the physical attributes, are often intimidated. My Jiu-Jitsu is an art of self-defense in which rules and time limits are unacceptable. These are the reasons for which I can’t support events that reflect an anti Jiu-Jitsu.” -Grand Master Helio Gracie (October 1, 1913 – January 29, 2009)
