Rickson Gracie
MVP (Most Valuable Posts) 2009 At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
Where did this year go?
2009 just started and now it’s already over!
I don’t know about you, but I am truly looking forward to another great, make that even greater, year 2010.
Thank you so much for your continuing support and interest.
For me personally, there were numerous moments that stand out at TheMartialArtsReporter.com in 2009.
Here is my MVP (Most Valuable Posts) 2009 selection and if you have any favorites not listed here, why not just let me know:
“Gracie Jiu-Jitsu - Behind The Scenes In Rio De Janeiro, Brazil”
“Peaceful Warrior Wisdom For Martial Artists And Others, Too.”
“My Interview With Jackie Chan” Is Becoming An Internet Favorite.
“Unfair Karate Fight, Let’s All Lighten Up, Shall We?”
“20 Seconds With Bruce Lee Could Change Your Life Forever”.
“Fighting Legend Benny ”The Jet” Urquidez Offers Great Advice”
“Pankration, One Of The World’s Oldest Martial Arts”.
“Switzerland Is The Place For Cheese, Chocolate, Skiing, Watches And Wrestling”.
“You Want This Former UFC Champ In Your Corner During A Bar Fight”.
There you have it:
The Most Valuable Posts 2009 At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
I’ll talk to you next year. That’s just in a couple of hours.
Another Week In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
Thank you so very much for stopping by again.
I hope you enjoy this week in review and two great quotes that will leave their mark.
“The Best Of The Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor” is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but he’s not even a Gracie or a Machado. Find out more about whom Rickson Gracie considers to be his most technical instructor.
Michael Kuhr, Former Kickboxing Champion, Now Security Professional In Berlin, Germany In some circles he is known as “The Godfather”. Find out why in this article.
Girl Power Expressed Through Karate Kata Perfection Learn More About Karate Kata And Watch A Japanese Female Trio Perform.
Is This The Holy Grail For Martial Arts Competitors, Part 2, Final Have You Really Done Everything There Is To Get Prepared ?
Is This Missing Link To Complete Your Training Regimen? Is This The Holy Grail For Martial Arts Competitors, Part 1 of 2?
Bruce Lee One-On-One With ….. One Of His Students And Former NBA Superstars And A “Tall Order”.
That wraps it up for the week. Or does it really?
Here are the two quotes I hope you enjoy as much as I do:
“Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity.” Og Mandino
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Peter Drucker
I will talk to you tomorrow!
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.
Yoga And Martial Artists
Just several months ago I successfully completed a 90-day extreme fitness program which entailed working out 6 days in a row and either rest or stretch on the seventh day. Stretching is what I opted for and that was a really good idea.
I am pretty happy with the results, except that I still have to buy new pants/trousers.
But I guess that’s a good problem to have.
The program consisted of exercises to improve overall strength, cardiovascular fitness and flexibility.
One of the elements was Yoga.
Alright, I hear some of you saying, “Yoga? You gotta be kidding me!”
Well, work with me here.
I am not going to bore you with historical and/or statistical facts about Yoga. For example that it has been practiced for over 5,000 years and as you might know, originated in India.
No, seriously, the benefits of incorporating Yoga in any martial artist’s training regimen could be summed up in:
Develop, maintain and even improve your breathing, flexibility, strength, and balance.
Listen, if Yoga is good enough for martial arts legends like Rickson Gracie, do you think we could find some benefits for us?
Personally, I am glad that Yoga was introduced to me as part of that 90-day fitness program I told you about.
Either way, I hope you find inspiration in this clip on Yoga for martial artists:
Your comments and ideas are always welcome here. Namaste!
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.
2016 Olympics Awarded to Rio de Janeiro – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Anybody?
“Tonight I have the honour to announce that the Games of the 31st Olympiad
are awarded to the city of Rio de Janeiro,” IOC President Jacques Rogge said.
My heartfelt congratulations go out to the people of Brazil in general and the
citizens of Rio de Janeiro in specific.
When I think of Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, what immediately comes to my mind:
Pele and artistic Brazilian soccer football, Copacabana, super-model Gisele Buendchen,
the famous song “The girl from Ipanema”, churrasco, Carnival in Rio, and …
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, of course.
The Gracie familiy members have done herculean work in laying the foundation
and together with their Machado cousins spreading the now immensely successful
and, just ask any of their opponents, very effective martial art.
BJJ founder Helio Gracie must have a really big smile on his face right now!
So, the Olympic Games 2016 have been awarded to the mesmerizing metropolis
of Rio de Janeiro and that leads me to the following question:
Can Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu become an Olympic discipline ?
And why not?
Just look back at the Olympics 1964 in Tokyo when Judo became an official
discipline and has stayed one ever since!
Or how about the Korean martial art of Taekwondo that first was a demo sport
during the 1988 Olympic Games of Seoul, Korea and then just 12 years later
officially became an Olympic discipline in 2000 during the Sydney, Australia games.
By the way, this recognition came less than 50 years after Taekwondo was first
officially introduced to the world.
Can Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu do the same?
Tell me what you think!
Check out some great books on BJJ, too:
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