Helio Gracie Dies
aged 95
Details from Sherdog-dot-com
Thursday, January 29, 2009
by Brian Knapp (bknapp-at-sherdog-dot-com)
Helio Gracie, the father of Gracie jiu-jitsu, is dead at the age of 95.
Gracie passed in his sleep early Thursday in Itaipaiva, Rio de Janeiro,
after he had been admitted to a local hospital a few days prior for
stomach problems.
“He passed the way he always wanted to –- quick and fast,” said an
immediate relative, who asked not to be identified. The relative said
Gracie’s body would be buried on Thursday.
The youngest of Cesalina and Gastao Gracie’s eight children, he learned
traditional jiu-jitsu by watching his brother, Carlos, teach it, but his
small frame made it difficult for him to execute the moves. As a result,
he adapted techniques to fit his limited physical ability and gave rise
to modern-day Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Gracie was involved in two legendary fights. He lost to Masahiko Kimura
-- a man who outweighed him by some 40 pounds -- in 1951 when Carlos
threw in the towel after Kimura broke Gracie’s arm with the shoulder
lock that now bears his name. Four years later, Gracie fought former
student Valdemar Santana for nearly four hours before losing.
His impact on the sport of mixed martial arts was profound. His son,
Rorion, was credited with developing the concept that became the
Ultimate Fighting Championship, and another of his sons, Royce, won the
first two UFC tournaments in 1993 and 1994. Two other sons, Rickson and
Royler, also competed in MMA.
Gracie is survived by his wife Vera; his sons Rickson, Royler, Rolker,
Royce, Relson, Robin and Rorion; his daughters Rerika and Ricci, as well
as numerous siblings, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
TJ DeSantis contributed to this report.
Editor’s Note: This story originally stated that Helio Gracie defeated
Valdemar Santana. Gracie, in fact, lost to Santana. The correction was
made at 1:23 p.m. ET.
