Timeline Flashcards
Jigoro Kano
Member of cultural department and jiu-jitsu practitioner. Developed judo in late 1800s.
Judo
Developed in late 1800s as a way to practice safely and realistically.
Kodokan Judo
Kano’s version of jiu-jitsu. Kano felt throws and takedowns were more important, so groundwork was less emphasized.
1914
Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (Judo) first introduced to the Gracie family in Brazil.
Mitsuyo Maeda
“Count Koma”
Jiu-Jitsu champion and direct student of Jigoro Kano.
First introduced Judo to the Gracie Family in 1914.
Maeda/Gracie History
Maeda traveled the world competing in challenge matches, then moved to Para, in Northern Brazil. Gastao Gracie (a businessman) helped him get established. In return, he taught Gastao’s oldest son Carlos, traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu.
1921
Gastao’s family moved to Rio. Carlos shared Jiu-Jitsu with his brothers Oswaldo, Gastao, and George.
1913
Helio Gracie was born. As a child he suffered from idiopathic vertigo that would bring on fainting spells.
Helio as a teenager
He moved in with his older brothers who were teaching jiu-jitsu in Rio. Doctors recommended he not practice because of his dizziness, so he spent his time watching his brothers teach.
1920s
Without Carlos’ knowledge, Helio began to practice Jiu-jitsu with his other brothers and students. His dizzy spells disappeared.
Leverage and timing
Because of his slim frame and limited access to instruction from Japanese teachers, Helio modified techniques through trial and error with an emphasis on leverage and timing.
Gracie/Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
Modified from traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (judo) by Helio Gracie. Most techniques were modified to focus on leverage and timing rather than strength and speed.
Helio fight history
Helio fought 21 times. Through wins and losses, his most spectacular performances came in defeat.
Yukio Kato
5th degree black belt. Ranked #2 Judoka in the world in Kodokan.
Helio vs. Kato
1951 Helio (37) fought Kato to a draw. In a rematch, weeks later Helio choked Kato unconscious in 6 minutes.
Helio vs. Kimura
1951 Helio fought Masahiko Kimura one of Japan’s best Judoka. The match was held at Macarana Stadium which held 200,000 people. Helio was 38 and much smaller than Kimura. Kimura won in 13 minutes with the reverse ude-garami, which is now known as the kimura.
Helio vs. Santana
1955 Helio (41) fought a former student Waldemar Santana who was 16 years younger and much heavier. The fight lasted 3 hours and 40 minutes and set the world record for the longest uninterrupted no-holds-barred fight in history. Helio lost by TKO.
1978
Jiu-jitsu was extremely popular in Brazil, so Rorion Gracie moved to the U.S. to share jiu-jitsu with the world.
Gracie Garage
1979 Rorion began teaching classes out of his garage in Hermosa Beach, CA
1989
1989
First Gracie Academy outside of Brazil opens in Torrance, CA.
1993
First UFC. Rorion Gracie and Art Davie develop a contest representing a wide variety of fighting styles with no-holds-barred rules to determine the most effective fighting system.
Royce Gracie
Smallest competitor in the UFC won 3 of the first 4 tournaments to demonstrate the effectiveness of Jiu-jitsu
1994
The Gracies were invited to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina to introduce GJJ to US Army Special Forces-this eventually became Gracie Combatives.
1995
GST: Gracies develop an instructor certification course exclusively for law enforcement. Addresses specific challenges of close quarters combat including weapon retention and non-violent arrest/control.
2006
Ryron and Rener develop Combatives for Civilian use.
2008
Ryron and Rener create ICP program.
2009
Gracieuniversity.com launches
2017
Gracie Academy moved to larger facility and rebranded as Gracie University
