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ENTER THE GRACIE CLAN:
The creator of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Carlos Gracie is the third generation descendent of an immigrant from Scotland. He was raised in a wealthy family, and he became a student of Maeda when he was 19 when Maeda settled in Brazil.
At that time in Brazil, there was no technique for fighting besides boxing and Capoeira. Only Jiu-Jitsu had grappling techniques for fighting. From Carlos on to his brothers, Oswaldo, Gastao, Jorge, and Helio, they made a name for the family by fighting in several demonstrations and street fights using Jiu-Jitsu. Carlos only took one year of lessons from Maeda. (Maeda once went back to Japan). Later on he learned from Brazilian teacher's assistants, and then combined all the techniques to create Gracie Jiu-Jitsu as a fighting technique with a sportive aspect.
For information on Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil that derived from Maeda but was independent of the Gracies: FADDA Jiu-Jitsu. It appears that at least one known Brazilian besides Carlos Gracie, who also learned from Maeda and passed along his techniques that still survives to this day.
Interesting, the japanese article referred to Maeda's style or school
in Brazil as "Parasuits." (This was the phonetic japanese translation).
Carlos Gracie opened up the first jiu-jitsu academy in Belem in 1925.
His most famous fight was against a Japanese named "Giomori." Carlos
tied with his larger opponent according to Carley Gracie. Reylson Gracie,
in an interview, said that Carlos and "GeoOmori" fought twice; "once
by the rules, the second time no holds barred. Both times they tied."
Carlos Gracie died in 1994 at the age of 92.
As Maeda challenged other schools, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu players also challenged other schools. Carlos spent all of his time establishing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and let his brothers do the fighting with other schools to improve their technique. Notably, Helio defeated all challengers and became the strongest fighter. (Note: Helio only had two losses: one to Kimura and one to Valdemar Santana, Helio's own student in his later years.)
Oswaldo Gracie (right) set to fight Joćo Baldi.
Oswaldo choked out his opponent in 2 minutes.
Helio (left) fights and defeats a capoeira stylist.
In a challenge jiu-jitsu match taking place
at the office of a major newspaper in Brazil,
Helio readies for a trademark chokehold.
Helio won fights against Japanese
Judo players, Miyake and Kato (pronounced "Kado"
in Japanese).He fought Kato twice. Their first match was called
a draw. In the second match, Helio choked Kato unconscious. This
footage in on one of the Gracie In-Action video tapes.
He tied with Yatsuichi Ono, but a local (Brazilian) Japanese
group decided to employ the most powerful judo player to defeat Helio.
Kato (top) vs. Helio Gracie
Kato throws Helio Gracie.
Helio uses the guard against Kato.
ENTER KIMURA:
Kimura Masahiko, won the all-Nippon Championship before and after the war. He created "pro" judo in 1949, but failed in his activities and went to Hawaii, U.S. and became a prowrestler. He started international prowrestling at his hometown but lost to "Lidosan" at the "fight of the century." Like Maeda, he went to Europe and the US, and found his way to Central America and went to Brazil.
From left: Helio, Kimura, Carlos.Kimura fights Helio Gracie
In 1952, at the gym next to the largest soccer stadium in Rio, the fight began. The rules was based on using judo gi's (No strikes). Invincible Helio was 45 years old, 63kilo. Kimura at 93kilo. For the first 2 minutes, it was a tie, but Helio was constantly on the losing end. After 15 minutes, he gave up. The first defeat in Helio's life was made by Kimura. The decisive arm lock technique used by Kimura was called the "Kimura Lock" even now known to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu players, to praise Kimura's ability.
The Jiu-Jitsu Maeda taught disappeared in Japan completely, but it flourished on the other side of the world in Brazil. The competition (fights) with the other schools Maeda had in Europe, US, and Central and South America was carried on in the name of vale tudo. Maybe someday, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu will come home and compete in fighting rings in Japan. (Note: This has come to pass)
ENTER SANTANA:
In what is considered the longest jiujitsu match in history, Helio Gracie battled former student Valdemar Santana, a powerfully built stone cutter. Helio lasted 3 hours and 45 minutes before losing the contest. This vale tudo fight occurred at the tail end of his fighting career.
Santana in Helio's guard.
ENTER CARLSON GRACIE:
With Valdemar Santana's victory over Helio Gracie, Carlson Gracie, the son of Carlos Gracie entered the ring at the young age of 17 to defend the honor of his family and the family name. He took revenge for his family clan and defeated Valdemar, which won him the respect and title of "King." He reigned during the 1960s, and he is considered by Fabio Gurgel as one of the four champions of the Gracie clan.
Carlson astride Santana.
