Carlos Gracie
| Carlos Gracie | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
September 14, 1902 Belém do Pará, Brazil |
| Died | October 7, 1994 (aged 92) Petrópolis, Brazil |
| Style | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo |
| Teacher(s) |
Mitsuyo Maeda Jacyntho Ferro Donato Pires dos Reis |
| Rank | 10th degree Red Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
Carlos Gracie (September 14, 1902 – October 7, 1994) was a Brazilian martial artist who is credited with being one of the primary developers of modern jiu-jitsu in Brazil. Along with his younger brother Hélio Gracie and fellow students Luis Franca and Oswaldo Fadda, Gracie helped develop Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) based on knowledge from Mitsuyo Maeda, and is widely considered to be the martial-arts patriarch of the Gracie family. Carlos Gracie acquired his knowledge of Jiu-Jitsu by studying in Belem under Maeda and his students. As he taught the techniques to his brothers, he created a martial arts family with Hélio and with other members of the Gracie family who provided key contributions to the style.
Gracie Jiu Jitsu developed in Brazil in the early 1900s using techniques learned from the great Japanese champion, Mitsuyo Maeda (known in Brazil as Conde Koma—the "Count of Combat"). Maeda, who was taught by Jigoro Kano, the creator of Judo, fought hundreds of victorious challenge matches against practitioners of other styles using his Judo techniques to overcome them. Maeda had become a champion Judoka in Japan and was so highly revered by Kano he was sent around the world to spread Judo.
According to reports, the young Carlos Gracie refined his system by fighting in matches that were open to all skill levels and learning from those experiences to make Jiu Jitsu more effective. Some reports claim that he advertised in newspapers and on street corners for new opponents upon whom to practice but no documented records of this exist. Gracie claimed to have fought anyone and everyone who was willing, regardless of size, weight, or fighting style. Though he was 135 pounds, his style proved so effective that Carlos Gracie was never defeated making him a legend in Brazil. Later, his claims were challenged by his brother Jorge Gracie, who stated; "My brother Carlos is nothing when it comes to fighting. Carlos does not have the authority nor the competence to speak about Jiu Jitsu… Who created the sporting tradition of my family if not me, in all honesty, with my career?"
...
Wikipedia