Agatangelo Braga was a jiu-jitsu instructor in the Campina Grande area of Paraiba, active in the 1950s-1960s. He trained under Takeo Yano alongside his brother-in-law Osmar 'Builson' Mouzinho de Oliveira. He began training Ivan Gomes in 1958-1959. During two years under Braga, Gomes fought over 40 times undefeated. In 1960, Braga promoted Gomes to black belt at age 21 — launching the career of one of vale tudo's greatest champions.