RIP to a legend -- Helio Gracie

**elbines** · Posted On: 1/30/2009 1:25am

R.I.P.

**NoTeefa** · Posted On: 1/30/2009 3:41am

I'm surprised this hasn't been posted yet.
A sad day for jiu-jitsu practioners everywhere.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu creator dies

9 hours ago
SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — Helio Gracie, one of the main creators of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that gained worldwide popularity, has died. He was 95.
Gracie died Thursday morning and was buried in the afternoon near his home in the mountain resort town of Petropolis near Rio de Janeiro, according to a short statement posted on the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy Web site.
The Agencia Estado news service said he died of pneumonia.
Gracie introduced a series of adaptations to traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu that emphasized leverage and position as a way to compensate for size differences among opponents.
More than 40 sons and grandsons of Gracie and his brother Carlos helped popularize the mixed martial art around the world.
One of Gracie's sons, Rorion, was a founder of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a hugely popular martial-arts combat sport in the United States, where it is seen as a more exciting alternative to boxing and wrestling.
Gracie is survived by his wife and nine children.

From the associated press

**Steve** · Posted On: 1/30/2009 3:59am

Originally Posted by NoTeefa

I'm surprised this hasn't been posted yet.
A sad day for jiu-jitsu practioners everywhere.

From the associated press

This is literally the 4th time (by my count) that this has been posted. We do have a front/home page that you might want to check out every so often.

**jkdbuck76** · Posted On: 1/30/2009 6:56am

RIP, Mr. Gracie.

**Cougar Spirit** · Posted On: 1/30/2009 7:10am

RIP. What a man!

**Eddie Hardon** · Posted On: 1/30/2009 7:37am

Having seen Royce teaching a small seminar in a nondescript gym displaying the utmost style, grace and good manners, he is surely a testament to Helio. Well Done, Sir!

RIP.