Carlos Gracie

Carlos Gracie
Born	(1902-09-14)September 14, 1902 Belém do Pará, Brazil
Died	October 7, 1994(1994-10-07) (aged 92) Petrópolis, Brazil
Style	Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo
Teacher(s)	Mitsuyo Maeda
Rank	10th degree red belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Carlos Gracie (September 14, 1902 – October 7, 1994) was the first Gracie to learn jiujitsu from Otávio Mitsuyo Maeda. Based on this judo training, Carlos, his brothers, Luis Franca and Oswaldo Fadda founded the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He was a member of the Gracie family and was Hélio Gracie's oldest brother.

Traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Gracie style Jiu Jitsu was created in Brazil in the early 1900s by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu pioneer Carlos Gracie, who studied traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu as a teenager under the great Japanese champion, Mitsuyo Maeda (known in Brazil as Conde Koma—the "Count of Combat").

Carlos Gracie, who was interested in street self-defense, quickly modified the classical techniques he learned from Count Koma to meet the demands of real, "no rules" fighting in the streets of Brazil. Young Carlos Gracie then tested and refined his system by constantly fighting in matches which were open to all skill levels. He continuously worked hard to make Brazilian Jiu Jitsu more effective. At one point, he even advertised in newspapers and on street corners for new opponents upon whom to practice and further refine his art. He fought anyone and everyone who was willing, regardless of size, weight or fighting style. Even though he was a mere 135 pounds, his style was so effective that Carlos Gracie was never defeated and became a legend in Brazil.

This tradition of open challenge is a part of the heritage of Gracie style of Jiu Jitsu. Carlos Gracie taught his style of Jiu Jitsu to his four younger brothers (Oswaldo, Gastão, Jorge, and Helio) and to his older sons (including Carlson and Carley), and they in turn taught their brothers, sons, nephews, and cousins. After Carlos retired from the ring, he managed the fight careers of his brothers and sons, continuing to challenge fighters of all styles throughout the world. This tradition of open challenge is continued by his sons, grandsons, brothers, nephews, and students.

Biography

In 2009, Carlos' daughter Reila Gracie (mother of Roger Gracie-Gomes) published a book detailing the life and times of Carlos Gracie. The book entitled "Carlos Gracie – O Criador De Uma Dinastia" (Carlos Gracie – The Creator of a Dynasty) is currently only available in Portuguese^[1] but the English translation could be finished in 2011.^[2]

Family

Carlos had 21 children,^[3] 13 of whom earned the rank of black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

Gracie Diet

Carlos Gracie is the creator of the nutritional regimen known as the Gracie Diet. Following the Hippocratean maxim "Let your food be your remedy", Carlos aimed at founding a system that would primarily prevent illness on days of competition.^[4] The basic principle of the Gracie Diet is to keep blood pH level neutral by consuming only compatible nutrients at each meal.^[4][5] Gracie Diet is flexible but it definitely prohibits consumption of pork and its derivatives and adopts abstinence from alcohol and tobacco.^[4]

See also

• Gracie family
• List of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners

References