Helio Gracie is largely considered to be the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, though his brother Carlos certainly deserves some credit as well. The story goes that Count Maeda, a Gracie family friend, taught Japanese Jiu-Jitsu to Helio and Carlos. Left to their own devices, they started to make modifications and changes to the art, especially when the much smaller Helio began to teach regularly.
It is worth noting that there is a bit of controversy on this front. Some jiu-jiteiros contend that the emphasis on the Gracie family’s efforts in growing jiu-jitsu, despite their significance, ignores the roles that other Brazilians played. A great many Japanese individuals immigrated to Brazil, bringing with them various forms of jiu-jitsu, and they too may have also contributed to the growth of the art, not to mention the many hundreds of non-Gracies that taught and trained alongside the family.
Records are spotty though, and coming up with any definitive history may be impossible at this point. Helio and Carlos were definitely key figures, but we may never know who else outside the Gracie family played a role and what they contributed.
Helio Gracie is largely considered to be the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, though his brother Carlos certainly deserves some credit as well. The story goes that Count Maeda, a Gracie family friend, taught Japanese Jiu-Jitsu to Helio and Carlos. Left to their own devices, they started to make modifications and changes to the art, especially when the much smaller Helio began to teach regularly.
It is worth noting that there is a bit of controversy on this front. Some jiu-jiteiros contend that the emphasis on the Gracie family’s efforts in growing jiu-jitsu, despite their significance, ignores the roles that other Brazilians played. A great many Japanese individuals immigrated to Brazil, bringing with them various forms of jiu-jitsu, and they too may have also contributed to the growth of the art, not to mention the many hundreds of non-Gracies that taught and trained alongside the family.
Records are spotty though, and coming up with any definitive history may be impossible at this point. Helio and Carlos were definitely key figures, but we may never know who else outside the Gracie family played a role and what they contributed.
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