Carlos "Carlinhos" Gracie Jr. (born January 17, 1956) is a Brazilian 8th-degree coral belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) practitioner, instructor, and coach. A member of the

Gracie family The Gracie family () is a family of martial artists originally from Belém, state of Pará, Brazil, whose ancestors came from Paisley, Scotland. They are known for promoting the self-defense martial arts system of Gracie jiu-jitsu, commonly kn ...

, he is the son of Carlos Gracie, one of the founders of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Career

Gracie is the founder of the (CBJJ), also known as the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), a for-profit company that organizes BJJ and submission grappling tournaments, including the

World Jiu-Jitsu Championship The World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament held annually by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. It is widely considered the most important and prestigious jiu-jitsu tournament of the year. The ...

, Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship, and European Jiu-Jitsu Championship. In 1986, Gracie founded the first Gracie Barra academy in

Barra da Tijuca Barra da Tijuca () (usually known as Barra) is an upper-middle class neighborhood or bairro in the Rio de Janeiro#West Zone, West Zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, located in the western portion of the city on the Atlantic Ocean. Barra is well known ...

, Rio de Janeiro. Under his leadership, Gracie Barra expanded to more than 700 academies worldwide, making it one of the largest and most influential Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu organizations. Beyond coaching, he launched ''Gracie Magazine'', a publication dedicated to promoting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu globally. He also founded ''GB Wear'' in 2002, a brand specializing in high-quality uniforms and training gear for Gracie Barra students.

Teaching philosophy

Gracie's teaching philosophy is influenced by three key figures: his father, Carlos Gracie; his uncle, Hélio Gracie; and his older brother,

Rolls Gracie Rolls Gracie (; 1951–1982) was a Brazilian martial artist. He was a prominent member of the Gracie family known for their founding of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and considered by some the family's best ever fighter. He was teacher of Rickson Gracie, ...

. From his father, he learned the importance of

Jiu-Jitsu Jujutsu ( , or ), also known as jiu-jitsu and ju-jitsu (both ), is a Japanese martial art and a system of close combat that can be used in a defensive or offensive manner to kill or subdue one or more weaponless or armed and armored opponent ...

as a tool for self-improvement and health. Hélio Gracie taught him discipline and focus, while Rolls Gracie instilled in him a curiosity to integrate techniques from other grappling styles. Gracie emphasizes an open-minded approach, the development of leadership skills within the Jiu-Jitsu community, and the role of competition in improving individual and team performance. He believes that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a lifestyle and a tool for personal growth.

Personal life

Carlinhos is one of twenty-one children fathered by Carlos Gracie Sr. He has three children: daughter Caroline, and sons Kayron and Kyan. His son Kayron is a black belt under his father and teaches at Gracie Barra Rancho Santa Margarita. Gracie follows the Gracie Diet, a nutritional program developed by his father, and maintains an active lifestyle through daily training and outdoor activities, such as swimming and hiking in locations like Pedra da Gávea in Rio de Janeiro and the beaches of Laguna Niguel, California.

Legacy

Carlos Gracie Jr.’s contributions have played a significant role in the global expansion of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His leadership in organizing competitions, expanding Gracie Barra academies, and promoting a structured approach to training has left a lasting impact on the sport. His efforts ensure that his father’s vision of Jiu-Jitsu as a lifestyle and self-improvement tool continues for future generations.

Instructor lineage

Kanō Jigorō was a Japanese judoka, educator, politician, and the founder of judo. Judo was one of the first Japanese martial arts to gain widespread international recognition, and the first to become an official Olympic Games, Olympic sport. Pedagogical ...

→

Mitsuyo Maeda naturalized as Otávio Maeda (),Virgílio, p. 9 was a Japanese people, Japanese-born judo, ''judōka'' and prizefighter in no holds barred competitions. He was known as Count Combat or ''Conde Koma'' in Spanish and Portuguese, a nickname he pi ...

→ Carlos Gracie Sr. → Carlos Gracie Jr.

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gracie, Carlos Jr. Martial artists from Rio de Janeiro (city) Martial arts school founders 1956 births Living people Carlos Jr. IBJJF Hall of Fame inductees People awarded a coral belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu