Hélio Gracie
Grandmaster / Mestre
Brazilian martial arts legend and principal co-founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).
Quick Facts
Date of Birth10/1/1913
Date of Death1/29/2009
Era20th–21st century
Country of Origin
Brazil
BrazilRank / Title10th Dan Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Active Years1930–2009
Biography
Hélio Gracie adapted Mitsuyo Maeda's Judo techniques to emphasize leverage and ground submission, allowing smaller practitioners to defeat larger opponents. Co-founded BJJ.
Associated Martial Arts
Brazilian Jiu-JitsuFounder→
A Brazilian ground-fighting art built on joint locks and chokes; it lets technique control a stronger opponent.
Gracie Jiu-JitsuFounder→The family branch of Brazilian jiu-jitsu carried by the Gracie family. It stresses self-defence and surviving from a losing position, not just sport grappling.