I am Carlos Gracie Jr., the founder of the Gracie Barra academy, located
in Barra da Tijuca, Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil. I want to share a few words
about the early days of the school and how it
was created. The history of Gracie Barra is
directly related to my life, and as a result,
the story of the school is also the story of my
life, both past, present, and future.
The
principal goal of my family of athletes and
fighters, lead by my father Carlos Gracie, has
always been to spread jiu jitsu, and to share
the art which brings enormous benefits to one's
life. My father was a naturalist and a very
spiritual person, who had a great desire to pass
on his knowledge to others, so that they could
receive the benefits of jiu jitsu as well.
Growing up in this environment, I learned the
art of jiu jitsu is actually a method through
which one strives for self-perfection.
My father's original academy was in the
center of Rio de Janeiro, lead by my uncle Helio
Gracie. It was there that I began my studies in
jiu jitsu, becoming an instructor there, and
finally, a professor. During this time, I worked
alongside my brother Rolls and my cousin Rorion
Gracie, who were also professors there.
Eventually, Rorion decided to live in the
United States, and Rolls established a school in
Copacabana together with my other older brother,
Carlson Gracie. Thus, I was called upon to
assume the responsibilities of running the
academy together with my cousin Rickson. I was
there for approximately two years, but during
this time I went to study nutrition at a
University and was living in Copacabana. During
this time, I decided to work with Rolls. In the
meantime, Carlson and Rolls had separated their
schools but were still located in the same
building, with the students training with either
teacher on alternating days.
After working together for seven years, Rolls
passed away in a hang-gliding accident. All of
the students reunited and together with Rolls'
wife, asked me to assume the responsibility of
continuing the path that my brother Rolls began.
We stayed in Copacabana for another four years,
after which I decided to move to Barra da Tijuca,
a promising newer neighborhood in the western
part of the city which was growing. It was here
that we became known as the "Gracies of Barra,"
and eventually, as we are called, simply,
"Gracie Barra."
The first seeds of Gracie Barra were planted
inside a small house almost twenty years ago.
The first school had approximately 20 students,
and grew to almost 200 hundred after just one
year. We then moved the school to larger space
inside of a gym, where we are still located
today. Since establishing the school, we have
consistently produced jiu jitsu instructors with
high qualifications, as well as distinguishing
ourselves in international competitions in
Brazil and around the world. Today, Gracie Barra
has the biggest jiu jitsu teams in the world.
Still, I feel very proud that my life's work
has been to create an institution which is not
focused just on building athletes or professors,
but instead, in helping to build one's
character.
Repeating the words
which my father told me:
". . . each person who puts on the kimono and
believes in jiu jitsu that myself and my family
teaches is the realization of my life's work." -
Carlos Gracie (1902-1994)
