Carlos Gracie Sr

Name: Carlos Gracie Sr.

Current Rank: 10th Degree Red Belt (Decimo Grau)

Notable Achievements:

• Founder of the first Gracie Jiu Jitsu academy

• Reached the "Decimo Grau" (10th degree), a degree only given to the founders of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

• Developed the Gracie Diet

• Cornered his brothers in almost every fight of their career

• Father to BJJ legends like Carlson Gracie, Rolls Gracie, and Carlos Gracie Jr.

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie

Carlos Gracie Sr. Biography

Early Life: A Hyperactive Prodigy

Born on September 14, 1902, in Belém do Pará, Brazil, Carlos Gracie was the firstborn son in a family that would go on to change the face of martial arts forever. Carlos was an energetic child, so much so that many believe he would have been diagnosed as hyperactive if he were born in modern times. His father, Gastao Gracie, introduced him to Count Coma, also known as Mitsuyo Maeda, a Jiu-Jitsu/Judo representative sent to Brazil by Japan. Maeda took Carlos under his wing, and thus began the young Gracie's journey into the world of Jiu-Jitsu.

The Birth of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

After moving to Rio de Janeiro due to his family's bankruptcy, Carlos worked various jobs until he saved enough money to open his own Jiu-Jitsu academy in 1925. His first ad in a local newspaper was audacious: "If you want your face punched and bruised, your butt kicked, and your arms broken, talk to Carlos Gracie at the following address..." Carlos, along with his brothers Oswaldo, Gastão, George, and Helio, broke the conventions of accepted fighting styles, challenging fighters from various martial arts backgrounds to improve their technical abilities and promote their academy.

The Master and the Mentor

Carlos was not just a fighter; he was a mentor and a visionary. He taught his brothers the art of Jiu-Jitsu and promoted fights between his academy and practitioners of other fighting styles like Capoeira, Boxing, and Wrestling. As he ventured into other businesses, he passed on the training responsibilities to his brother Helio, but he remained the guiding force behind the Gracie clan.

The Gracie Diet and Philosophy

Carlos was a keen observer of human behavior and physical well-being. His studies led him to develop the famous Gracie Diet, which remains popular to this day. He was also known for his "12 Commandments," a set of principles that guided his life and those of his family members. These commandments ranged from maintaining a strong peace of mind to always having a positive opinion about oneself.

Legacy and Impact

Carlos Gracie Sr. passed away on October 7, 1994, but his legacy lives on. He had 21 children from different mothers, 11 of whom he awarded the black belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Among his sons are BJJ legends like Carlson Gracie, Rolls Gracie, and Carlos Gracie Jr. Carlos Gracie Sr. was not just a fighter or a teacher; he was a patriarch, a philosopher, and a revolutionary who laid the foundation for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as we know it today.