Helio Gracie
Valentine’s Day And The Week In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all!
I don’t understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine’s Day.
When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon.
Anyway …
Let’s get back to what really makes the world turn and that would be martial arts, right?! Just kidding around here.
Check out The Week In Review that took us from Russia (with love) to Japan to Brooklyn, New York to Hong Kong to Houston, Texas.
Russian Systema Or Just When You Think You’ve Seen It All
Masahiko Kimura, The Best Judoka Ever?
Martial Artist Wesley Snipes Co-Starring In “Brooklyn’s Finest”
Teenager Tried To Kick Bruce Lee In The Face
Linda Denley, Karate Superwoman From Houston, Texas
Have a great Valentine’s Day wherever you are!
I will talk to you tomorrow.
Masahiko Kimura, The Best Judoka Ever?
Can you believe this?
Even though I trained in judo for a brief period quite a long time ago, it wasn’t until I started doing research on Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and even rolling around on the mat for a short while that I became familiar with the term ‘Kimura’. And even then I thought it was just some technique that could really hurt you or your opponent, depending on who’s on the receiving end of it.
Well, after digging a bit deeper, I too finally saw the light! Man, I must have been living under a rock or something.
Masahiko Kimura (1917-1993) is considered by many the greatest Judoka to ever live. He stood 5′6″ (170 cm) tall and weighed 185 pounds (84kg).
Kimura became the youngest ever 5th-degree black belt when he was just 18 and by the time he reached the age of 29 he was a 7th dan.
In 1937, Kimura did something very remarkable: He won the All-Japan Championship and remained undefeated for the next 13 years in matches held throughout Japan.
But what he accomplished later in life on the international stage really cemented the legend of Kimura.
In 1951, he defeated Brazil’s Helio Gracie, a legend in his own right, who publicly said that he thought nobody in the world could defeat Kimura.
At age 42, Kimura faced a much bigger and younger opponent by the name of Waldemar Santana, who he even battled to a draw.
Kimura’s prime came before judo was an Olympic event, but in his senior years he trained a number of notable Olympian judokas, including Canada’s Doug Rogers, who won silver in the 1964 Tokyo Summer Games.
As far as I could find out, Kimura was never awarded beyond 7th dan and based on so many reports I am left to believe that Japanese judo officials were not quite amused with Kimura’s career moves from judo into professional wrestling.
What I find intriguing is how a guy like him standing at 5′6″ (170 cm) and weighing 185 pounds (84kg) could beat countless taller, heavier and at times way younger and faster opponents.
Kimura’s success is based on San Bai Ro Rioku. On this premise, Kimura did 300 pushups everyday in High School. While attending university he increased that number to 500.
After his first victory, Kimura decided to start doing 1,000 non-stop pushups to ensure future victories. As you can assume, doing pushups was just a small part of Kimura’s regimen. During his prime, he practiced 4 times a day, at least 6 hours every day. He trained at Taku-Shoku University, Local Clubs, Kodokan, and Police Academies.
Quite often he would practice against a tree, always at midnight. During one instance, Wushi-Zima, a two time champion, heard a commotion in the nearby woods. When he checked out the noise it turned out to be Kimura doing uchikomi against a tree. For better understanding of uchikomi: You actually practice a throw, where you take your opponent to the point just before he is thrown.
And coming full circle: So, what actually is a ‘Kimura’?
The Kimura lock is one of the most important submission holds in Jiu-Jitsu and other grappling styles. At times it referred to as hammerlock, chicken wing or ude-garami. Whatever you prefer, it is a very powerful and versatile attack. And wherever you see grapplers competing, you can be sure to see the Kimura lock used to submit opponents and win fights.
Le me know if you think that Masahiko Kimura is the best judoka ever.
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.
Thanksgiving Week In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
I Hope You Enjoy Thanksgiving Week In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com And A Quote I Really Like!
Sifu Eddie Camden, The Instructor Recommended By Martial Arts Legends
Martial Artists And The Day After Thanksgiving, Aka Black Friday
Happy Thanksgiving 2009 From TheMartialArtsReporter.com
Peaceful Warrior Wisdom For Martial Artists (And Others, Too)
Urijah Faber, The California Kid Of World Extreme Cagefighting
Jet Li, From Humble Beginnings To Action/Martial Arts Movie Superstar
This week’s quote for readers of TheMartialArtsReporter.com:
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but the number of moments that take our breath away. ” Unkown
Sifu Eddie Camden, The Instructor Recommended By Martial Arts Legends
With his extensive background and over 30 years of striking, grappling and weapons training Sifu Eddie Camden has become one of the most complete and knowledgeable martial artists around. Many refer to him a true teachers’ teacher.
Just about every federal law enforcement agency and special warfare group in the United States such as C.I.A., the Secret Service, F.B.I, Green Berets, and the U.S. Navy Seals have benefitted from Sifu Eddie’s expertise.
He founded his Tiger Academy of Martial Arts in Atlanta, Georgia, back in 1998.
What make Sifu Eddie Camden so unique?
He holds numerous Black Belt /instructor rankings in the following arts: Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Wing Chun Kung Fu, and Filipino Kali.
There aren’t many in the world to hold Black Belts in such a diverse selection of martial arts.
Sifu Eddie has not only trained with, but has been certified by some of the world’s top experts in each of these martial arts.
This is what some martial arts legends say about Sifu Eddie Camden:
“Sifu Eddie you’re truly a martial artist! Your students are very lucky to have you be their teacher…You always have my support.” Francis Fong (international martial arts legend)
“Eddie, you’re a great all-around instructor. I recommend you to anyone!”
Dan Inosanto (martial arts legend, Bruce Lee’s protege)
“Eddie Camden is my long time training partner and good friend. He and his academy offer one of the very best programs found anywhere! I recommend this training for everyone who really wants to learn to defend themselves.”
Frank Cucci (U.S. Navy Seal, owner Linxx Martial Arts, VA Beach, vA)
“Not only is Eddie Camden one of the highest ranked students I have, he and Frank Cucci are the most well rounded martial artists I know.”
Pedro Sauer (7th degree red and black belt under – Helio and Rickson Gracie, voted best Brazilian jiu jitsu instructor in the world)
Besides being considered Sifu Francis Fong’s most advanced Wing Chun students, Sifu Eddie attained his black belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu by Pedro Sauer, who is hands-down considered Rickson Gracie’s most technical student.
Sifu Eddie Camden received his 1st degree on his black belt directly from Grandmaster Helio Gracie himself.
The experience of growing up in a volatile and violent area, and his vast training background have given Sifu Eddie Camden a unique perspective on teaching and training whose approach is positive, direct, and no nonsense.
With years of street conflicts and 36 undefeated challenge matches, he is with a doubt a rare martial artist.
Sifu Eddie Camden is an expert technician, teacher, and fighter, all in one package.
Special Note: TheMartialArtsReporter has met Sifu Eddie once in person, but is not a past or current student of his.
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