Rolls Gracie
Encyclopedia
Rolls Gracie was a notable practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
and a member of the Gracie family
.
stewardess who became Carlos Gracie's mistress. As a child, Gracie was raised by his uncle Hélio
, whom he trained with extensively in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Gracie trained and taught at Carlson's Copacabana Academy and with Osvaldo Alves, who trained with him for a year, improving his skills. Upon his return to Carlson's school, Gracie trained and influenced Rickson
, Royler
, Rillion
, Crolin
, and Carlos Gracie, Jr.
Gracie competed in many tournaments in various martial arts styles including sambo
and wrestling
. The video Gracie in Action documents Gracie and several of his students defeating several karate
students and their teacher.
In 1978, Gracie met Bob Anderson, a member of FILA
. The two formed a close friendship and this helped transform Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into an even wider art. Gracie and Anderson later went to the AAU National Sambo Championships and the YMCA National Championships. Both of them won their respective divisions.
Gracie's mother Claudia lived in New York City
where Gracie spent a lot of time. He was the first Gracie to venture away from Jiu-Jitsu. While there, Rolls befriended an American wrestling coach (Bob Anderson). Anderson spent time teaching Rolls some wrestling techniques, and allowed Rolls to train with him while in the US. Rolls is credited with blending those wrestling techniques into his style of BJJ.
On June 6, 1982, Gracie died during a hang gliding
accident in the mountains of Mauá. Gracie had only promoted six men to black belt
before his death:
Gracie had many other notable students that did not receive their black belts from him, but were students of his up until his death:
and Igor
are Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts and active competitors.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
and a member of the Gracie family
Gracie family
The Gracie family is a prominent sporting family from Brazil known for their founding of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu . They have been successful in combat sport competitions including mixed martial arts, vale tudo and submission wrestling events...
.
Biography
Rolls Gracie was born to Carlos Gracie and Claudia Zandomenico, an ItalianItalian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
stewardess who became Carlos Gracie's mistress. As a child, Gracie was raised by his uncle Hélio
Hélio Gracie
Hélio Gracie was a Brazilian martial artist who, together with his brother Carlos Gracie, founded the martial art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, known internationally as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu...
, whom he trained with extensively in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Gracie trained and taught at Carlson's Copacabana Academy and with Osvaldo Alves, who trained with him for a year, improving his skills. Upon his return to Carlson's school, Gracie trained and influenced Rickson
Rickson Gracie
Rickson Gracie is a Brazilian 8th degree black and red belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a retired mixed martial artist. He is a member of the Gracie family: the son of Hélio Gracie, brother to Rorion and Relson Gracie, and half-brother to Rolker, Royce, Robin and Royler Gracie.-Biography:Rickson...
, Royler
Royler Gracie
Royler Gracie is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. He ran the Gracie Humaitá jiu-jitsu school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for many years under his father Helio's direction, but currently resides in San Diego, US.Royler travels around the world teaching...
, Rillion
Rillion Gracie
Rilion Gracie is a martial artist and a prominent member of the Gracie family. He is the youngest son and 20th child of Carlos Gracie the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, and holds the rank of 6th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu...
, Crolin
Crolin Gracie
Crolin Gracie is an 7th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu earning his rank under Carlos Gracie Jr. and is a son of the legendary Carlos Gracie. He's a member of the legendary Gracie family. Crolin has been training since the age of 11 notably at the famous Rolls Gracie Academy Copacabana...
, and Carlos Gracie, Jr.
Carlos Gracie, Jr.
Carlos "Carlinhos" Gracie, Jr. is a 7th degree Red and Black Belt URL accessed on June 7, 2009 in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu . He started the Gracie Barra Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and is head of the Gracie Barra, one of the largest and most successful worldwide Jiu-Jitsu associations...
Gracie competed in many tournaments in various martial arts styles including sambo
Sambo (martial art)
Sambo is a Russian martial art and combat sport. The word "SAMBO" is an acronym for SAMooborona Bez Oruzhiya, which literally translates as "self-defense without weapons". Sambo is relatively modern since its development began in the early 1920s by the Soviet Red Army to improve their hand to hand...
and wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
. The video Gracie in Action documents Gracie and several of his students defeating several karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
students and their teacher.
In 1978, Gracie met Bob Anderson, a member of FILA
International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles
The International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles, also known in French as Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées , is an international wrestling federation that holds events around the world. It is the governing body of international amateur wrestling...
. The two formed a close friendship and this helped transform Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into an even wider art. Gracie and Anderson later went to the AAU National Sambo Championships and the YMCA National Championships. Both of them won their respective divisions.
Gracie's mother Claudia lived in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
where Gracie spent a lot of time. He was the first Gracie to venture away from Jiu-Jitsu. While there, Rolls befriended an American wrestling coach (Bob Anderson). Anderson spent time teaching Rolls some wrestling techniques, and allowed Rolls to train with him while in the US. Rolls is credited with blending those wrestling techniques into his style of BJJ.
On June 6, 1982, Gracie died during a hang gliding
Hang gliding
Hang gliding is an air sport in which a pilot flies a light and unmotorized foot-launchable aircraft called a hang glider ....
accident in the mountains of Mauá. Gracie had only promoted six men to black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
before his death:
- Marcio "Macarrão" Stambowsky (father of Neiman Gracie)
- Mauricio Motta GomesMauricio Motta GomesMaurição Motta Gomes is a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, one of the six people to have been promoted to Black Belt by the famous Rolls Gracie prior to his untimely death. He has been training and teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 25 years and at present holds the rank of 7th degree black...
(father of Roger GracieRoger GracieRoger Gracie Gomes is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and mixed martial artist. Roger was awarded his black belt by his cousin Renzo Gracie at the behest of Carlos Gracie, Jr. whilst training in New York in 2003. He is currently a second degree black belt...
) - Romero "Jacare" CavalcantiRomero "Jacare" CavalcantiRomero Cavalcanti , nicknamed Jacaré, is a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the founder-head coach of the prestigious Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Team. He is one of the six people to have been promoted to Black Belt by the famous Rolls Gracie prior to his death in a hang gliding accident...
(founder of Alliance BJJAlliance Jiu JitsuAlliance is one of the most prominent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu associations, and the current, defending World team champions, having won the team title at the World Championships in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. They also won the World Championships back to back in 1998 and 1999...
) - Mario Claudio Tallarico
- Nicin Azulay
- Paulo Conde
Gracie had many other notable students that did not receive their black belts from him, but were students of his up until his death:
- Carlos Valente (Writer for Grappling Magazine, 6th Degree Black Belt, 2 World Champion Students)
- Luiz Palhares (7th Degree Red and Black Belt & Producer of National Champions Gi & No Gi)
- Alvaro Romano (Founder of Ginastica Natural)
- Fabio Santos (Red & Black under Relson Gracie)
Personal
Gracie's sons RollesRolles Gracie Jr.
Rolles Gracie Jr. is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. He is a 3rd degree black belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and the son of one of the pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Rolls Gracie....
and Igor
Igor Gracie
Igor Gracie is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and professional mixed martial artist.-Fighting career:...
are Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts and active competitors.