History of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

In 1914, a Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Judo master named Mitsuyo Maeda, (AKA Count Koma) stopped in Brazil during his World Judo tour. Maeda decided to prolong his stay and help a Japanese colony settle in the North of Brazil.

A Brazilian diplomat named Gastao Gracie helped the colony with land and cattle. In return Koma, went against the Japanese tradition and volunteered to teach real Jiu-Jitsu to a non-Japanese, Gastao's son Carlos.

That was the birth of Gracie Jiu-jitsu. Carlos, who was the oldest of five brothers, became so fascinated with Maeda's technique that in 1925 he opened the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Helio, Carlos' youngest brother, in spite of his small frame and weight of only 140 pounds, became the mastermind behind the development of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, adapting the techniques of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu so that they depended entirely upon leverage, rather than strength.

That is how he developed this style of Jiu-Jitsu. Though Gracie Jiu-jitsu descended from the ancient Japanese style, the differences are quite apparent. Many of the Japanese facets of the art, which depend on physical prowess and stiff motion, were tossed aside, leaving only pure technique.

“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)