Chapter 1
Chapter 1 · The Origin
Mitsuyo Maeda
1878–1941 · Brazilian
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The judo master from Japan who traveled the world and taught Carlos Gracie the art that would become BJJ.
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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
The History of Lineages
From Japan's judo masters to academies across the world — the people and connections that shaped BJJ.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2 · The Patriarch
Carlos Gracie
1902–1994 · Brazilian
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Robson Gracie is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu red belt (9th degree), son of the founder of Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Carlos Gracie (Senior) who was an instructor of the 'arte suave' at the Gracie Academy during the 1950's. Robson defended the Gracie family name in vale tudo (no holds barred) fights during the 1950's, he is also the father of famous BJJ personalities such as Ryan, Ralph and Renzo Gracie as well as being the president of the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Rio de Janeiro (FJJERJ).
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Chapter 3
Chapter 3 · The Philosophy
Hélio Gracie
1913–2009 · Brazilian
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The smallest brother who rebuilt the art from the ground up. His principle — technique beats strength — defines BJJ to this day.
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Chapter 4
Chapter 4 · The Warrior's Branch
Carlson Gracie
1932–2006 · Brazilian
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Carlson Gracie was born on the 13th of August, 1932 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was the son of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Founder Carlos Gracie and he became a top competitor in No Holds Barred/Vale Tudo matches during the 1950's and 1960's era. He was also one of the finest Jiu-Jitsu coaches to have ever lived.
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CG
Chapter 5
Chapter 5 · The Organizer
Carlos Gracie Jr.
1956 · Brazilian
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Founded the IBJJF and Gracie Barra — the world's largest BJJ organization with hundreds of academies across the globe.
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Chapter 6
Chapter 6 · The New York Line
Renzo Gracie
1967 · Brazilian
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BJJ's ambassador in New York. Teacher of John Danaher, Shawn Williams, Matt Serra, and Georges St-Pierre.
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Chapter 7
Chapter 7 · Your Line
Ricardo Liborio
1967 · Brazilian
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Won the 1996 Mundials in a weight class 20 kg above his own. Co-founder of BTT and American Top Team.
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SW
Chapter 8
Chapter 8 · Williams Guard
Shawn Williams
1975 · American
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Shawn Williams is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Renzo Gracie, being one of the most talented competitors of his generation in the US. Williams was also the fifth American to be graded as a black belt in BJJ. Training alongside of grapplers such as John Danaher, Ricardo Almeida, Matt Serra and many others, Shawn Williams created a series of positions from a guard variation which is today called 'the Williams Guard'.
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JD
Chapter 9
Chapter 9 · The System
John Danaher
1967 · New Zealander
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John Danaher was born in 1967, in Washington, DC, United States of America, and is the son of New Zealand parents. John's father was in the NZ military and was stationed in the USA for a short period in which Danaher was born. His parents returned to their home country with their son, and it was in New Zealand that Danaher spent his childhood and f...
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Team
Chapter 10 · Scandinavia
Eduardo Teta Rios
Brazilian
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From BTT's training hall in Rio to Frontline Academy in Oslo. 5th-degree black belt and European Champion.
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Chapter 11
Chapter 11 · Norwegian BJJ
Nic Ruben Nikolaisen
1978 · Norwegian
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Nic Ruben is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Eduardo "Teta" Rios, being one of the most accomplished grappling competitors in the European continent. Having earned medals at important tournaments such as the World No-Gi Championship, European Open or the Pan American No-Gi Championship, Nic Ruben flew the Frontline Academy flag high (a team he co-founded) while raising awareness to the Norwegian jiu jitsu scene.
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JC
Team
Chapter 12 · The Gjøvik Academy
José Carlos Granja
Brazilian
norwegiangjoviknova_uniao
Jose Carlos is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Jair Lourenço and a member of the Kimura / Nova União (K/NU) academy, being the team's settler in Scandinavia. From his K/NU gym in Gjøvik, Norway Jose Carlos developed some of the top European grappling competitors, including big names in the world IBJJF circuit such as Espen Mathiesen and Tommy Lilleskog Langaker.
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Chapter 13
Chapter 13 · Norway's Best
Tommy Langaker
1997 · Norwegian
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Tommy Langaker is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt from Norway who earned his rank directly from José Carlos of Kimura - Nova Uniao, having also worked extensively with Rafael and Guilherme Mendes. Langaker is revered as one of the most exciting BJJ competitors of his generation, a reputation earned while grappling in the lower belt divisions of the sport.
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EM
Chapter 14
Chapter 14 · The Berimbolo
Espen Mathiesen
1995 · Norwegian
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Espen Mathiesen is a Norwegian athlete in the sport/martial art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a black belt under José Carlos of Kimura - Nova Uniao. Mathiesen became one of the top grappling competitors in Europe while going through the ranks of BJJ in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) circuit, there Espen conquered medals in important tournaments such as the World, Pan American, and European Open Championship as well as the prestigious Copa Pódio Grand Prix.
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TH
Chapter 15
Chapter 15 · Tarikoplata
Tarik Hopstock
1996 · Norwegian
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Tarik Hopstock is a Norwegian grappler and a black belt in jiu-jitsu under Eduardo Rios (Teta), who represents the Scandinavian team Frontline in the sport's global circuit. Hopstock made a name for himself as one of the leading competitors of Europe during his colored belt career, a reputation earned after his numerous medals on the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) league, particularly the podium placements at the World, World No-Gi, and European Championships. Tarik Hopstock is also widely recognized as the creator of the Tarikoplata, a submission he introduced to the BJJ world as a blue belt.
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Chapter 16
Chapter 16 · The Viking
John-Olav Einemo
1975 · Norwegian
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First European to win the ADCC World Championship (2003). Defeated Roger Gracie in the semi-final.
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