Helio Gracie
Please allow us to try although we are the last ones to write about Grand Master.
Grand Master Helio Gracie, was born in Brazil in 1913, grown watching his big brothers training Judo from an early age. Grand Master could not have found the opportunity to apply what he has learned due to a sickness until the age of 16. He realized that due to his frail physique, most of the techniques were particularly difficult for him to execute although he knew them theoretically. Eager to make the techniques work for him, he began modifying them to accommodate his weak body. Emphasizing the use of leverage and timing over strength and speed, He modified virtually all of the techniques and, through trial and error, created Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (also known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jiu-Jitsu).
The new way that he revealed gained popularity in a short time and Grand Master achieved numerous successes because of it. The fight with Masahiko Kimura in 1951 was one of the most famous ones.
Grand Master Helio Gracie widely regarded as the first sports hero in Brazilian history and has thousands of followers, gained fans all over the world. He has earned numerous degrees and success along the long life. He personally trained his sons, nephews, even grandchildren and played key role of their success in life. He died of natural causes on January 29, 2009 at the age of 96.
We would like to use this opportunity to show our gratitude him. Obrigado Grande Mestre!
This text is an excerpt from various books and websites. Original text and for further reading:
http://www.gracieacademy.com/generations_helio.asp
