Gracie Lisboa

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu or 'Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu' was developed by the Gracie family, in Brazil. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Japanese diplomat Mitsuyo Maeda settled in Brazil. Maeda was received by the Gracie family who helped him to prosper in the Brazil nut trade. As a way of thanking him, Maeda taught the traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu to the Gracie brothers. One of the Gracie brothers - Hélio Gracie - was physically weaker and thinner than the rest of the brothers. Hélio then improved the techniques learned, making them more efficient and accessible to anyone, regardless of the biotype. The system he developed allowed weaker people to beat bigger and stronger opponents. That was how Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was born.