Gracie Barra
Gracie Barra (GB) is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy and team co-funded in 1986 by Carlos Gracie Jr., a son of Carlos Gracie, one of the founders of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. While the team is regarded as one of the best in the world, the academy has the highest number of affiliated schools throughout the world.
Also known as | GB |
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Date founded | 1986[1] |
Country of origin | Brazil / US |
Founder | Carlos Gracie Jr |
Arts taught | Brazilian jiu-jitsu |
Ancestor schools | Academia Gracie |
Practitioners | |
Official website | Gracie Barra |
History
The Gracie Barra academy was established in 1986 by Carlos Gracie Jr. (known as Carlinhos) at the Barra da Tijuca district in Rio de Janeiro.[1] Gracie, a son of Carlos Gracie Sr. one of the founders of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, had been head coach at the main Gracie academy in Downtown Rio de Janeiro, before leading his brother Rolls Gracie’s school in Copacabana, following his tragic death in a hang-gliding accident.[2] The academy became known as Gracie Barra in reference to the neighborhood.[3]
In a year the academy went from 20 to 200 members including some of the students Gracie had coached at his brother's academy, such as Jean Jacques Machado and Renzo Gracie.[1] The team became one of the best in the world, winning the World Championship multiple times. In 2002 Gracie Barra competition team members won 8 gold medals in the mens black belt division.[4]
In 2005, with the assistance of Marcio Feitosa, Gracie moved the team's headquarters to Irvine California, United States.[1] In 2010 Gracie Barra created the instructors' certification program. Gracie Barra has graduated more than 500 black belts all over the world.[1]
References
- "Gracie Barra Academy". BJJ Heroes – Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team History, Fighter Stats, Biographies and News. March 25, 2012.
- D’Hue, Alex (December 19, 2014), "Heritage", Gracie Barra Garden Grove
- "A Brief History of IBJJF and What It Helped To Establish For Jiu-Jitsu". rollingtimesmag. July 6, 2022.
- "Gracie Barra: A History". Attack The Back. August 25, 2020.
- "The Founder of Carlos Gracie Jr". Gracie Barra Katy. January 17, 1956.