I learned this morning that yesterday, Helio Gracie, the founder of Brazilian jiu jitsu, passed away in his sleep at his ranch in Itaipava, Brazil. He was 95 years old.
Helio learned traditional Japanese jiu jitsu by watching his brother as a young boy. Helio was too small to execute many of the moves and so he came up with his own variation that gave the smaller man the advantage by using physics and leverage over power. Helio passed his art onto his four sons and the Gracie name spread across the World. His son, Rorion (pronounced Horion), is credited with the idea for having the first Ultimate Fighting Championship and his son, Royce (pronounced Hoyce) won the first two UFC tournaments, among a long chain of other accolades. His other two sons, Rickson and Royler (yes, pronounced Hickson and Hoyler), have also competed in mixed martial arts and are founders of their own Gracie schools.
Helio Gracie's fighting art has changed the world, both in the fighting world and out. Many people owe their self-esteem, their health, their passion and sometimes even their life to this remarkable art. I am sad that he has passed, but I am given hope that he died in his sleep the way he wanted to. He lived a long and full life. If we could all be so lucky...
Rest in peace, Helio. You will forever be remembered.
