GRACIE JIU-JITSU
(A brief history)
MITSUYO MAEDA
Like most martial arts, Jiu-Jitsu roots trace back to ancient Japan where the Samurai developed the gentle art into a well-rounded self defense system. In 1914, a Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champion named Mitsuyo Maeda (wikipedia link) migrated to Brazil. There he shared his art with the Gracie Family who had themselves migrated from Scotland many years earlier.
In 1925, Carlos Gracie (wikipedia link)opened the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Brazil and the Gracie Dynasty was born. Carlos Gracie's younger brother, Helio, weighed only 135 pounds. He was so small and frail that doctors advised him not to participate in athletic activities. When young Helio began training, he found that he needed to adjust the techniques he had learned so that they would work for someone smaller or weaker than their opponent. As time went on, Helio became a national hero as he challenged and defeated many of the world's top fighters.
In 1925, Carlos Gracie (wikipedia link)opened the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Brazil and the Gracie Dynasty was born. Carlos Gracie's younger brother, Helio, weighed only 135 pounds. He was so small and frail that doctors advised him not to participate in athletic activities. When young Helio began training, he found that he needed to adjust the techniques he had learned so that they would work for someone smaller or weaker than their opponent. As time went on, Helio became a national hero as he challenged and defeated many of the world's top fighters.
10TH DEGREE GRANDMASTER HELIO GRACIE
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, several of Helio Gracie's (wikipedia link) sons migrated to the United States and introduced Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to any who wanted to learn. At the time, Americans had quite an obsession with the flashy martial arts styles seen in Hollywood movies, each one claiming to be the most effective. Following in the steps of his father, Rorion Gracie issued the now famous Gracie Challenge: Rorion would fight any person, of any style, and any size. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu began to make its mark in America as stylists from all over the United States accepted the challenge and were defeated by the gentle, effective art.
In 1993, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu exploded onto the world scene as Rorion's 170 pound brother, Royce Gracie, entered the first Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) (wikipedia link). At the time there were no gloves, no time limits, and almost no rules. As the smallest fighter in the event, most gave young Royce no chance of defeating his much larger and more athletic opponents. As had happened so many times before, this small Gracie fighter defeated each and every opponent by submission. Almost overnight, a world-wide demand for instruction in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu emerged.
In 1993, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu exploded onto the world scene as Rorion's 170 pound brother, Royce Gracie, entered the first Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) (wikipedia link). At the time there were no gloves, no time limits, and almost no rules. As the smallest fighter in the event, most gave young Royce no chance of defeating his much larger and more athletic opponents. As had happened so many times before, this small Gracie fighter defeated each and every opponent by submission. Almost overnight, a world-wide demand for instruction in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu emerged.
8TH DEGREE MASTER PEDRO SAUER
In 1990, Pedro Sauer (wikipedia link) moved to California to help the Gracie family introduce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the United States. He had grown up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As a young man Pedro had trained in several martial arts, but when he was 15 years old, his friend Rickson Gracie (wikipedia link) invited him to train at the Gracie Academy. His first encounter with Gracie Jiu-Jitsu convinced him that it was the most effective martial art ever created. Years later, in 1985, he was awarded a black belt under Rickson and Helio Gracie.
Shortly after moving to the United States, Pedro Sauer moved to Utah and began teaching as one of only two Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instructors that were not part of the Gracie family. Professor Sauer quickly became known for his kindness,meticulous approach, and eye for detail. His name has become synonymous with fluidity and technical precision. He is frequently mentioned on television and featured in martial arts magazines. In 2000, Pedro Sauer was voted "Best of the Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor" in a worldwide poll. He is currently an eighth degree black belt under RIckson and Helio Gracie.
Shortly after moving to the United States, Pedro Sauer moved to Utah and began teaching as one of only two Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instructors that were not part of the Gracie family. Professor Sauer quickly became known for his kindness,meticulous approach, and eye for detail. His name has become synonymous with fluidity and technical precision. He is frequently mentioned on television and featured in martial arts magazines. In 2000, Pedro Sauer was voted "Best of the Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor" in a worldwide poll. He is currently an eighth degree black belt under RIckson and Helio Gracie.
1ST DEGREE BLACK BELT MATT STRACK (pictured below, right, next to Pedro Sauer)
Matt Strack is the head Instructor of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu of Oxford. Matt is a certified 1st degree Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under 8th degree Master Pedro Sauer. Matt began his journey in Brazilian or Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in 1997 with Jeff Curran (Teamcurran.com) (link) in Chicago, IL.
After being introduced to Jeff's Curran's instructor, Pedro Sauer (Pedrosauer.com) (link), Matt moved to Salt Lake City, UT to study exclusively with Master Sauer. After 9 years of training, Matt Strack received his Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt on June 10, 2006 from Master Pedro Sauer.
Matt is one of a very small group to receive his Black Belt while under direct instruction from Master Sauer in Salt Lake City, UT.
In 2008, Matt returned to Illinois and took a full time position as the head Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor for Jeff Curran at Curran Martial Arts in Crystal Lake, IL. Matt was responsible for the training of students interested in the techniques used in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
In May of 2009, Matt relocated to Oxford, OH to be closer to family. Matt started Gracie Jiu-Jitsu of Oxford to share the knowledge of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu that he has gained over the past 14 years.
After being introduced to Jeff's Curran's instructor, Pedro Sauer (Pedrosauer.com) (link), Matt moved to Salt Lake City, UT to study exclusively with Master Sauer. After 9 years of training, Matt Strack received his Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt on June 10, 2006 from Master Pedro Sauer.
Matt is one of a very small group to receive his Black Belt while under direct instruction from Master Sauer in Salt Lake City, UT.
In 2008, Matt returned to Illinois and took a full time position as the head Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor for Jeff Curran at Curran Martial Arts in Crystal Lake, IL. Matt was responsible for the training of students interested in the techniques used in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
In May of 2009, Matt relocated to Oxford, OH to be closer to family. Matt started Gracie Jiu-Jitsu of Oxford to share the knowledge of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu that he has gained over the past 14 years.
