Message from Carlos Gracie Jr.

I am Carlos Gracie Jr. the founder of Gracie Barra, located in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In a few words , I want to share with you how it all began.

I was born in a family of fighters that was lead by my father, Carlos Gracie. His goal was to expand the art of Jiu-Jitsu, since the the art had brought so many benefits in his life. Dad was a spiritualist by nature, he passed on this knowledge to others so that they could have benefits too. Living in this kind of environment, I learned the art of Jiu-Jitsu and its philosophy.

At my Dad’s Academy in Rio De Janeiro, I started my training. At that time, the academy was being directed by my uncle, Helio Gracie. because my Dad was living in Teresopolis, a nearby town. At that time the main teachers were my brother, Rolls and my cousin Rorion. After a while Rorion decided to move to the United States and Rolls set up an academy in Copacabana with my other older brother Carlson Gracie. So I was called to take over the academy in downtown with my cousin Rickson. I stayed there for approximately two years, and after that I went to college to study Nutrition. Since I was living in Copacabana I decided to work with my brother Rolls. Rolls and Carlson had a falling out, but they decided to keep the same Academy, but the different students practiced on alternate days.

After working together for seven years my brother Rolls died in a paraglide accident. The students got together with Rolls wife asked me to take over the academy. I stayed in Copacabana for about four more years, and then decided to move to Barra da Tijuca, a area that had huge potential to grow That’s why the name, Gracie Barra. It’s purpose was to promote the “Gracies of Barra “.

The first Gracie Barra was in a house at 484 Olegario Maciel St., we started off with 20 students, and after a year we had 200. Then we change to Espaco Vital academy, and since then we start to participate in Nationals and Internationals competitions, as of today we form the biggest Jiu-Jitsu Competition Team.

I am so proud of all this work and effort that I have done for this institution that has as its main goal to create good athletes and qualified teachers.