One of the first Brazilian men to learn Jiu Jitsu in Brazil, Luiz França became one of Mitsuyo Maeda’s top students, and much like the Gracies, he continued the work of his Japanese instructor in the state of Rio de Janeiro where he started his own, non Gracie, BJJ lineage. This lineage can be seen in some of the biggest teams in the world today.
Pedro Hemeterio was one of Carlos and Helio Gracie’s best students through the 1940s and 1950s decades. Hemeterio was also the first student of the gracie academy to achieve the 9th degree in jiu jitsu – red belt. Originaly from the state of Ceará in Brazil, Hemeterio also spent time in Sao Paulo where he helped develop the sport there.
George Gracie was the most important Gracie fighter in the 1930’s. The true family champion he held the Gracie Jiu Jitsu flag high for many years, competing throughout 3 decades.
Helio Gracie is arguably the most important figure in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. One of the first Gracie Jiu Jitsu representative in the 1930’s and 1940’s he is also the father and master of many fighters who carried the name of BJJ to Martial Arts main stream in the early 1990’s, such as Royler, Rickson and Royce Gracie. His lineage and legacy is one of the strongest in Jiu Jitsu and he is seen as one of the fathers of the Brazilian grappling art.
Waldemar Santana, the Gracie Academy cleaner that turned against the BJJ family. This is the true story of the very first Gracie Hunter famed for his 4 hour battle with Helio Gracie