Carlos Gracie, Carlson Gracie & Carlson Gracie Jr.

Grand Master Carlson Gracie, senior, was also known as “ El Garotao “ or, "Big-Boy". He acquired this nickname in Brazil, in the late 1950’s, due to his loving, unassuming, happy, eternal, and young fellow personality. Carlson, who always treated everyone as equals, was an excellent trainer and physical combat strategist. He was the founder of the, "Carlson Gracie Team Academies", in Rio de Janeiro and in America. He is a celebrity of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is recognized as one of the best, if not the best, coaches in the World. He and his son founded The, "Carlson Gracie Jr. Jiu-Jitsu Academies", in Chicago. It is located at the Fit-Plex Fitness Health Club which is one of the Fitness Formula Clubs. They taught and continue to teach not only civilians, but many Federal Special Operations, Law Enforcement Agencies, and some Special Forces groups of the US Army and Marines.

The Story

It’s really hard to describe the life of a Living Legend in a couple of paragraphs
but I will try my best. I would like to start by saying the Grand Master Carlson Gracie was an Ultimate Gladiator who spans all time. He is compared only to legends such as Mohammed Ali, Evander Holyfield, Bruce Lee, Michael Jordan, or more recently, Roy Jones Jr. Recognized worldwide, Carlson Gracie, learned Jiu – Jitsu from his father whom after learning the style from a Great Japanese master Champion, in 1925, founded the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Organization in Rio de Janeiro. Carlson Gracie the oldest son of Carlos Gracie’s 21 children was born during the height of the Gracie clan struggle to establish the Gracie Jiu - Jitsu as one if not the most effective martial art in the world, Carlson inherited the fearless, high-risk competitive spirit of his father, combined with an amazing level of tolerance, love and respect for the Human kind. He believes in fair competition, although during his professional career in the ring, he always confronted heavier and more experienced adversaries from all kind of fighting systems. Carlson Gracie, a champion for over 20 years, retired from the ring unconquered which give him the nickname in Europe, “The Eternal Champion “ and in Asia the. "King of the Ring". This was due to his ability to finish a fight in matter of seconds. Since He retired from the competitions, his mission has been to pass on his experiences, as an accomplished Black Belt and Grand Master of the Ring, to the younger generation of Gracie’s, fighters. This is especially true to the “ The Brazilian Prince of Jiu-Jitsu", his only son, Carlson Gracie Jr. He is a 10 Times Brazilian Champion as well as an International Champion. In addition to Jiu – Jitsu, he is also a Medallist in Greco Roman Wrestling of the Pan-American Games, and a Vale - Tudo Extreme Fighter. Carlson Gracie Jr and his father are the ambassadors of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the World who teach their art to youth and adult students alike. So they understand how the practice of Jiu – Jitsu gives them energy, discipline, and the patience enough to become successful, not only in the sports arena, but also in Life.

Carlson Gracie Jr. “El Principe “ The Legend Continues…

Carlson Gracie Jr. was born in the state of Rio de Janeiro Brazil in July 27 1969. He started Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 3 yrs. old under the direction of his father Grand Master Carlson Gracie with whom he is being training since. Junior attended, for 6 years, the Rio de Janeiro State University, where he obtained a Physical Education degree. In 1987, as a result of an invitation of the State Team Coach at the time, Orlando Barradas, who got really impressed by Carlson Junior's achievements, when Junior, after only a few months of his graduation as a Black Belt, won first place in one of the most important tournaments around the world “The Buda Cup”. In addition, on his way back to Brazil he won “ The South American Championship”. After that, he went on a, "winning parade", that went from a challenge between martial Arts schools in Brazil, where he represented the Carlson Gracie Team. He also fought in Asia, in the, "Battle - Cage", and in Vegas at the the, "Extreme Fighting Championship". He later, in Chicago, competed in Chicago Challenge where he won two years in the row. Since he retired from competitions, he became a very dedicated teacher of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
For Junior it’s Important to have the Carlson Gracie Team continue having real Champions and to inspire the new generations in a better, more physically active, and more health oriented style of life based on the exercise, discipline, and the self-control that the practice of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu provides it’s practitioners. This is not even taking into consideration the fame, popularity, and financial success that some of the fighters coming from the, "Carlson Gracie nest", enjoy when they become professional and certified under the direction of a Great Family of masters. They are recognized world wide as “ Living Legends “. Currently, junior is the head Instructor for, "Ground Survival", one the Biggest Organizations of Martial-Arts in the world.

Some of Carlson Gracie Jr. Jiu-Jitsu students include:

Chicago Police Department special operations unit (Basic advance Course & counter measurements)
North Carolina State Police Department special unit (Weapon Rotation & Disengagement)
Atlanta Police Department (Ground fight survival skills)
Tucson AZ, Police Department (Can’t Disclosure information)

Fort Buchanan.
Fort Campbell
Fort Louis


Important Awards:
Junior will be inducted in June 4, 2005 into the hold of Fame for his outstanding contributions in all Martial Arts by Budo International Magazine, In New York City.