submission fighting
The Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Saga Continues
If there were any martial arts royal families, I believe that the Gracies would certainly meet that description.
Most of us have probably heard of the countless accomplishments of Helio, Carlos, Carlos Jr., Carlson, Rickson, Renzo, Royce, Ryan, Charles, Royler, Robson, Reyson, Reylson, Rorion, Relson Gracie…. just to name a few.
Yet, there is another Gracie family member not mentioned in the long list, but who has already impressively leavng a mark.
And it’s not another guy. And her name doesn’t begin with a ‘C’ or a ‘R’.
Her name is Kyra Gracie.
She is the 24-year-old daughter of Flavia Gracie, who is the sister of Renzo, Ralph and Charles Gracie.
Kyra is the first female black belt of the Gracie family to compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission wrestling.
After starting her studies at the age of 11, she has been leaving her own personal mark on fighting the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu way.
Two years later, at age 13, Kyra Gracie was already both Brazilian and New York State BJJ champion.
Just check out her impressive list of championship titles so far:
3x World BJJ Champion (2004,2006,2008)
5x Pan American BJJ Games Champion (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007)
5x Brazilian BJJ Champion (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004)
5x New York State BJJ Champion (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)
2x ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) Submission Wrestling World Champion (2005, 2007)
1x Asiatic BJJ Champion (2006)
She spends much of her time training at her uncle Renzo’s academy in Manhattan advancing in her fighting and teaching skills.
There is no doubt that we will be hearing a lot more from Kyra Gracie in the future. Possibly Women’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)?
Either way,The Gracie Saga Continues.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu – Behind The Scenes In Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
If you’re not a martial artist, what probably comes to your mind when you think of Brazil is soccer football, Carnival in Rio, Copacabana beach, Gisele Buendchen, right?
On the other hand if you are a martial artist, you have without a doubt heard of or even trained in a martial art that has changed the art of fighting in so many ways.
It is simply known as BJJ or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
The Japanese brought Jiu-Jitsu to Brazil at the beginning of 20th century.
During this process Count Maeda tought this style of self-defense to Carlos Gracie, who then in turn instructed his younger brothers.
Carlos then together with his youngest brother, Helio, went on to refine the style and create a form of fighting and self-defense that has been nothing short of revolutionary.
Grandmaster Helio (1913-2009) promoted the Gracie way of fighting through teaching, competing and countless public challenges over a span of 40 years to demonstrate its effectiveness even against heavier and presumably stronger opponents, especially on the ground.
His legacy lives on through his sons and nephews such as Rickson, Royce, Rorion, Relson, Renzo, Reyson, Reylson, Rilion, Robson, Royler, Carlson, Carlos, Crolin.
There is certainly a lot more to be said about Gracie Jiu-Jitsu which I will do in the near future.
In the meantime, check out this really impressive video clip on Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
I know it’s about 10 minutes long, but heck, there’s nothing on TV anyway. So, just sit back and take it in.
Abu Dhabi And Martial Arts?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) consists of 7 states, termed emirates, which are located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia on the Persian Gulf.
The three most well-known emirates are Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi is the capital and second largest city. It is also the country’s center of political, industrial, and cultural activities.
One of the martial arts activities that has been gaining in international reputation is submission fighting.
Abu Dhabi and martial arts?
Sheik Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nayan who happens to be one the sons of the former President of the UAE, Sheik Zayed, has been the driving force in introducing martial arts to his home country.
While studying in the United States he started to learn more about grappling which led him to training in BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu).
A man with an open mind and an eagerness to learn, Sheik Tanoon also took up Russian Sambo, freestyle wrestling and Muay Thai in which he became an expert in all. A true mixed martial artist!
He sounds like our kind of guy!
After getting back to Abu Dhabi he immediately went about in creating a combat center to provide his people with the opportunity to study and learn more about martial arts. It was named the Abu Dhabi Combat Center or short ADCC.
The man of vision and action that the Sheik is, he introduced a tournament in which the world’s best and most famous grapplers and submission fighters would compete again each other.
This tournament is simply known as the ADCC World Submission Wrestling Tournament. It has become THE submission grappling event in the world and is being copied across the globe.
To give you an idea of the caliber of competitors who have fought at this tournament are for example Renzo Gracie, Royler Gracie, Mark Kerr, Tito Ortiz, Jean Jacques Machado, Rigan Machado, Rolles Gracie, Fabricio Werdum, Josh Barnett, Vitor Belfort, Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza, Roger Gracie, Dean Lister, Jake Shields and many more. Impressed? I certainly am.
Abu Dhabi And Martial Arts!
Escape From The Standing “Rear Naked Choke”
Alright then, so yesterday we got ourselves into a creepy position, aka The “Rear Naked Choke”.
We want to escape from this standing “rear naked choke” as fast as possible.
All kinds of schools and styles promote their preferred ways.
Today I would like to introduce one escape that’s pretty self-explanatory.
If you come across others that are practical, let me know.
As always, be cautious with this and all other self-defense techniques. Professional supervision is highly recommended.
A Tribute To The Godfather Of Grappling, “Judo” Gene Lebell
It’s about time for a tribute to The Godfather Of Grappling, “Judo” Gene Lebell!
In case of an emergency, people normally call ’911′. Right?!
Well, when seasoned martial arts and wrestling greats such as Bruce Lee, Ed Parker,
Chuck Norris, Bob Wall, Ken Shamrock, Benny “The Jet” Urquidez, The Rock, Gokor
“Armenian Assassin” Chivichyan and many many more needed grappling advice and
training, guess who they called?
You guessed right, “Judo” Gene Lebell.
In 1954, as a twenty-two year old judoka, Master Gene accomplished something
at the National Judo Championships in Japan nobody had done before:
He won the Heavyweight Title as the first non-Japanese weighing only 165 lbs.!
Master Gene repeated this extraordinary acomplishment the next year.
All while competing in a pink judo gi. So what’s with funky colored gi?
I’m glad you asked.
When Master Gene was in Japan the first time, the laundry service cleaning his gi
messed up big time by somehow throwing in red clothing and so turning his white gi
into the now infamous pink.
Master Gene had no choice but to compete in pink. The Japanese were outraged,
because they considered it disrespectful. Traditions can be very strong.
Master Gene prevailed and the pink gi has been his trademark ever since.
So, when looking around a dojo you knew that dangerous guy was always the one wearing pink.
For years he continued to successfully compete in the Judo and Pro-Wrestling.
His proven skills have helped him in stunt-work in literally hundreds of movies
along side with celebrities such as Elvis Presley, Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.
Master Gene continues to share his vast knowledge in Los Angeles and at seminars
around the country such as the Paradise Warrior Retreat with other martial arts legends.
Master Gene is certainly not your typical 77-year old.
He’s as sharp as a tack and as witty as they come. And he owns the mat.
And what’s absolutely amazing: His sleeper choke keeps on putting people to sleep within seconds.
Nobody does it better!
Or as the famous saying goes, “When in doubt, choke him out.”
Let me know if any of you have met “Judo” Gene Lebell in person.
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