About Us

What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

(BJJ, ブラジルの柔術)

“Jiu Jitsu promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique.”

Brief History Of Jiu Jitsu

In the last days of the 19th century, some Jiu-Jitsu masters emigrated from Japan to other continents, teaching the martial arts as well as taking part in fights and competitions. Mitsuyo Maeda was one such master. Maeda arrived in Brazil in 1915, and settled in Belem do Para, where he met a man named Gastao Gracie.

The father of eight children, among them five boys and three girls, Gastao became a Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast and brought his oldest son, Carlos, to learn from the Japanese master.

For a naturally frail fifteen-year old Carlos Gracie, Jiu-Jitsu became a method not simply for fighting, but for personal improvement. At nineteen, he moved to Rio de Janeiro with his family and began teaching and fighting. In his travels, Carlos would teach classes, and also proved the efficiency of the art by beating opponents who were physically stronger. In 1925, he returned to Rio and opened the first school, known as the "Academia Gracie de Jiu-Jitsu."

Many students first learn about jiu jitsu through the great popularity of mixed martial arts (MMA) competition, where Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique is very prominent. Indeed, the beginnings of the contemporary MMA competition were largely tied up with proving the combat-efficiency of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The practice of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a sport, however, is strongly separated from MMA. Daily classes do not feature kicking or punching. The focus is on safe grappling technique that can be done on a daily basis with no more fear of injury than any other contact sport. While there is a professional MMA team at the Renzo Gracie Academy, the great majority of students study only the grappling sport and find that this is the most enjoyable and satisfying route to take.

Renzo Gracie is a world-renown practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. He is a senior member of the famous Gracie family of jiu jitsu teachers and fighters who did so much to change the shape the current state of martial arts instruction in America.

John Danaher

Renzo Gracie Black Belt / RGA Professor

RENZO GRACIE BAY RIDGE

7914 3rd Avenue 2nd Floor, Bay Ridge BK. 

NY. 11209 @ The HIT Factory Gym

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RICHMOND COUNTY BJJ - RENZO GRACIE AFFILIATION

2000 Hylan Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Staten Island,

NY. 10306