Relson Gracie
Relson "Campeão" Gracie is a professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and martial arts personality. He is a member of the Gracie family. Relson currently lives alternatively in Hawaii and Brazil where he teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at his academy in Honolulu and Rio de Janeiro.
| Relson Gracie | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 28, 1953 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Other names | Campeão [Champion] |
| Residence | Aiea, Hawaii, United States |
| Style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Teacher(s) | Helio Gracie |
| Rank | 9th deg. BJJ red belt (under Rorion Gracie)[1] |
Relson is the second oldest son of Helio Gracie, who along with Carlos Gracie, is credited with creating Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Relson began learning the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of two, began competing at the age of ten, and earned his black belt when he was 23.[2] He went 22 years undefeated as the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu National Champion.[3]
On April 6, 2013, Relson was promoted to rank of grandmaster (red belt) the highest possible belt awarded to living individuals in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Relson has also taught self-defense to the U.S. Military, Secret Service, D.E.A., F.B.I., and local law enforcement agencies across the United States.
Biography
Beginnings
Relson was born in 1953, a year after the Gracies opened Academia Gracie in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1962, Helio Gracie held the first Brazliain Jiu-Jitsu tournament in Rio de Janeiro, where Relson competed at the age of 10. Relson was Brazilian National Champion in both his own weight class and the open division for an unprecedented 22 years. His record and success in Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu earned him the name "Campeão," Portuguese for Champion.
In 1975, at the age of 22, Relson was approached by Rio's Secretary of Sport Jose Morais and Manaus Senator Artur Virgilio, a Reyson Gracie trained black belt, who proposed Relson open his own academy. Because of this encouragement, Relson opened his first Jiu Jitsu academy, Ilha Clube Jardim Guanabara (ICJG). During this time Relson taught at both ICJG and Academia Gracie Humaita.
Growth Of Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu
In the middle to late 1970s Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu continued to grow in popularity, and in 1978, Academia Gracie relocated to Flamengo, an area in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1982 Relson and his younger brother Rickson began competing and winning black belt divisions of Jiu Jitsu tournaments in their weight classes (83 kg and 77 kg, respectively) and openweight divisions as well, often sharing 1st and 2nd place.
The Gracie family also experienced success in Vale Tudo fights and competitions. On April 25, 1980, Rickson Gracie defeated Casemiro "Rei Zulu" Nascimento Martins by rear naked choke. Rei Zulu suffered a similar fate at the hands of Rickson again in January 1984 during their second encounter. Relson trained Rickson for both events in anticipation of fighting Zulu himself.
Move to the United States
In 1985, Relson moved from Rio de Janeiro to Monterey, California at the request of Carlos Sauer. In Monterey, Relson taught at the Eseline Therapy Institute for a year and a half. In June 1988 he moved to Honolulu and continued to teach.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was relatively unknown outside of Brazil at the time. Relson taught out of his garage in the evenings after a hard day's work in the construction industry. However, the popularity of Jiu-Jitsu soon spread throughout the island of Oahu, and in the same year he expanded his classes to athletic facilities at the University of Hawaii at Manoa because of growing demand until 1996, while continuing to teach out of his garage.
Relson organized the first tournament outside of Brazil in Honolulu in 1992.
Involvement with MMA
In 1993, Ultimate Fighting Championship held its first event, UFC 1, which would launch the career of Royce Gracie.
Relson helped Royce train for the event. Royce won three of the first four UFC events.
Tournament competition in the 1990s and beyond
In 1997 Relson Gracie brought a team from Hawaii to the second World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships and became the first team outside of Brazil to win a division. Two of Relson's students, Kendall Goo and Kelly Matsukawa, took first and second place in the Adult Blue Belt Pessidissimo division.[4]
In 2000 the Relson Gracie Team joined forces with Gracie Humaita and placed in every division at the Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Florida: 1st in the Female and Master/Seniors divisions, 2nd in the Juvenile, and 3rd in the Adult.[5]
Relson is also affiliated with some tournaments: the Relson Gracie National Jiu-Jitsu Tournament has been held annually in Columbus, Ohio since 1997. Due to the success of his inaugural National tournament, Arnold Schwarzenegger approached Relson to start the Arnold-Gracie World Submission Championships in 2000, also held in Columbus.
On January 25, 2020, Relson was arrested in a bus in Rio, Brazil, on charges of drug trafficking. Relson was in possession of medical marijuana, which he obtained legally with a prescription, and which had been legalized in Brazil in December 2019. He was released less than a week later.[6][7][8]
Black Belts under Relson
There are many black belts given by Relson across his career. His reputation is for being very hard on promotions, often taking 10-15+ years to attain black belt level. Here are all of the known black belts and their promotion dates, where known:[9][10] Name - School/Affiliation - City, State - Date of promotion to Black Belt
- Steve Maxwell - MaxwellSC - Philadelphia, PA - 11/2002[11]
- Scott DeVine - Devine Jiu-Jitsu- Brunswick, GA - 3/2003
- F M - Relson Gracie - Honolulu - 3/2003
- Jeff Hudson - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 3/2003 [12]
- Phil Migliarese (6th Degree) - Balance Studios - Philadelphia, PA - 3rd, 3/2003 [13]
- Andre Derizans - Relson Gracie Academy - Honolulu, HI, 3rd, 3/2003
- Sam Mahi - Relson Gracie - 7th Degree, 4/14/04
- Rick Migliarese (5th Degree) - Balance Studios - Philadelphia, PA - 1st, 2005 [13]
- Kofi Debrah - Relson Gracie - 9/28/05
- Robin Gieseler - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 2006 (started 94) [14]
- Ronn Shiraki - Relson Gracie Academy - Honolulu, HI - 6th degree, 6/5/06 [15]
- Kimo Kreis - Relson Gracie Academy - Kaneohe, HI - 6th degree 6/5/06
- Phil Cardella (3rd Degree) - Relson Gracie Academy Austin - Austin, TX - 6/5/06 [16]
- Mike Onzuka - 02 Martial Arts Academy - Aiea, HI - 4/4/07 [17]
- Garth Spendiff - Coastal Combatives Inc - Savannah, Georgia - 8/25/07 [18]
- Vince Panzano - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - ?
- Lionel Perez - North Florida Brazilian jiu-jitsu - Jacksonville, FL - ? [19]
- Richard Giberson (1st Degree) - Relson Gracie Academy Austin - Austin, TX - 10/8/07 [16]
- Nathan Zigler - (4th Degree) - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 1/26/2008 [20]
- Toney Waldecker (6th Degree) - Calvert MMA Academy - Sunderland, MD - 4/18/08 [21][22]
- David Wilson - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 7/24/08
- Shawn Chitwood - Team Chitwood - Columbus, OH - 11/14/08 [23]
- Steve Hordinski (3rd Degree) - Katharo Training Center - Littleton, CO - 1/17/09 (no longer affiliated)
- Michael Casey - Gracie Jiu Jitsu New York - Bronx, NY - 3rd Degree 1/24/09 (started 1994; opened school 1999)
- Chris Onzuka - 02 Martial Arts Academy - Aiea, HI - 2/11/09
- Shane Agena - 02 Martial Arts Academy - Aiea, HI - 2/11/09
- Reyn Morimoto - Relson Gracie Academy - Honolulu, HI - 2/18/09
- Todd Tanaka (3rd Degree) - Relson Gracie/Team HK Jiu Jitsu - Honolulu, HI - 7/22/09 [24]
- Jay Dennis- Relson Gracie Myrtle Beach South Carolina / 8/9/2009
- Rodrigo Salazar - Denver Jiu Jitsu Academy - Denver, CO - 3rd degree 10/24/09
- Heath Wigginton - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, Az - 12/16/10
- Tony Zara - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 2/19/11
- Matt Rigney - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 2/19/11
- Mark Kurano - Relson Gracie/Gracie Waikiki - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11 [25]
- Jeff Furuta - Relson Gracie/Gracie Uptown - Honolulu, HI - 2nd Degree, 6/22/11 [26]
- Kaleo Auwae (3rd Degree) - Relson Gracie/Team Papakolea Jiu-Jitsu- Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11 [27]
- Josh Lauber (3rd Degree) - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11 [28]
- Rhalan Gracie - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11 [28]
- Kaleo Hosaka - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11 [28]
- Gye Nitta - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11 [28]
- Jim Hannan - Relson Gracie - Relson Gracie DC - Fairfax county, Va -7/13/11
- Dan Wallen (4th Degree) - Relson Gracie - Fightworks Academy - Greenville, SC - 7/13/11 [29]
- Tom Feister - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 7/29/11
- Paul Joyner - Relson Gracie601, Meridian, MS - 11/10/11 [30]
- Stuart Ramos - Team Maryland BJJ, Towson MD, - 12/2/11 [31]
- Paul Kimo Kalaiwaa - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI 2011
- Craig Chitwood- Team Chitwood - Mansfield, OH - 1/20/12 [23]
- Doug Moore-Relson Gracie-Gracie Arizona-Phoenix, AZ 1/28/2012
- Shane Briggs - Legion Martial Arts - Little River, SC - January 21, 2012 [31]
- Dave Patton (3rd Degree) - Relson Gracie - Fightworks - Sterling, Va - 03/12 [29]
- John-Michael Kaleikini (3rd degree) - Gracie Florida Jiu-Jitsu, Ormond Beach, FL - 03/26/12
- Kayle Quinn - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 5/30/2012
- Makena White - Relson Gracie Association Honolulu, HI - 6/6/12
- Brad Scott - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI -6/11/2012
- Christopher R. Laird - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 6/11/2012
- Christina (Thomas) Del Guidice - Empire Jiu Jitsu - Austin, TX - 6/19/2012 [32]
- Steven Abood - Tokyo, Japan 8/18/12
- Mark Stefanac - Relson Gracie Cleveland - Cleveland, Ohio 2/2/13
- Neil Chitwood - Team Chitwood - Lexington, OH 4/6/2013
- David Tabron - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 5/6/13
- Tracy Hopkins - Bushido Martial Arts - Columbus, OH - 5/7/13
- Kyle Spendiff - Gracie Jiu Jitsu Maryland - Clarksville, MD - 11/1/13
- Jerry Brewer- Gracie Charleston-Charleston, SC-12/03/2013[33]
- Robert Moss - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 4/2/2014
- Chris Spicer - Relson Gracie Waco - Waco, TX - May 2014
- Greg Bartman - Bartman MMA and Self-Defense - Silver Spring, MD - 5/13/2014 [34]
- Jim Thrift (3rd Degree) - Calvert MMA Academy / Lineage BJJ - Sunderland, MD - 6/18/2014 [35]
- Josh Simon (3rd Degree) - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 10/2/14 (Black Belt originally awarded by Gracie Barra. First degree awarded by Relson - 3/6/17)
- Scott Phillips - Danger Academy / Wylie, Tx. 1/15/15
- Marco Moreno - The Basics Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu - Leesburg, Virginia 03/27/15
- Michael Cassesa - Relson Gracie Cleveland - Cleveland, Ohio 3/28/15
- Nick Goldizen - Relson Gracie Cleveland - Cleveland, Ohio 3/28/15
- Rod Amano - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI 8/26/2015
- Gabriel Obiedo (2nd Degree) - Relson Gracie Austin - Austin, Texas 09/02/2015
- George Mathai (2nd Degree) - Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio - San Antonio, Texas 9/2/15
- Paul Joyner - Relson Gracie601 - Meridian, Ms 11/11/2015
- Jason Dodd - Global Mixed Martial Arts Academy - Gainesville, Fl - 2015
- Eric Smith- Relson Gracie- Gracie Arizona-Phoenix, AZ 2/2/2016
- Ron Aderhold - Relson Gracie Cleveland - Cleveland, OH - 2/13/16
- Doug Kalin - Relson Gracie Cleveland - Cleveland, OH - 2/13/16
- Dave Futa - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 5/17/16
- Mike Tran (1st Degree) - Calvert MMA Academy / Lineage BJJ - Sunderland, MD - 6/14/2016 [35]
- AJ Mendoza - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 11/25/16
- Drew Arthur - Relson Gracie Tyler / Lone Star MMA Academy, (GracieTyler.com)Tyler TX - 1/1/2017
- Desmond Thain - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 11/28/17
- Kevin Tang - Relson Gracie Team HK - Honolulu, HI - 12/9/2017
- Zachary Pang - Relson Gracie Team HK - Honolulu, HI 12/27/2017
- Christopher Slavens - Relson Gracie O2 Martial Arts Academy - Honolulu, HI 12/27/2017
- Travis Kashiwa - Relson Gracie O2 Martial Arts Academy - Honolulu, HI 12/27/2017
- Andrew Kawada - Relson Gracie O2 Martial Arts Academy - Honolulu, HI 12/27/2017
- Grant Arakawa - Relson Gracie O2 Martial Arts Academy - Honolulu, HI 12/27/2017
- Patrick Gaul Jr. (1st Degree) - Team No Quarter - Greenville, SC - 02/22/2018
- Eric Olson - Gracie Combat - Ashburn, VA - 02/22/2018
- Isaac Ike Haertel - Kogen Dojo-Relson Gracie - Severna Park, MD - 02/27/2018
- Blayne Barlow - Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 03/20/2018
- Conor Waffle - Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 03/20/2018
- Dan Radoff - (1st Degree)Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 03/20/2018
- Michael Morales - Relson Gracie- Gracie Arizona-Phoenix, AZ - 03/20/2018
- James Watkins - Relson Gracie - Relson Gracie - 03/24/2018
- Mitchell Johnson - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/18/2018
- Phil Baltunado - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/26/2018
- Justin Nihei - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/26/2018
- John Gilbert - Relson Gracie - Columbia, MD - 11/9/2018
- John O'Brien - Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu NY- Bronx, NY - 11/14/2018. First student of www.gracieny.com
- David Caraulia - Relson Gracie - Waterfront - Honolulu, HI - 02/26/2019
- Josh Harrold - Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 3/7/2019
- Jack Notebaert - Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 3/7/2019
- Seta Reupenny - Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 3/7/2019 (Gracie Arizona's 1st and Relson's 2nd Female Black Belt)
- Juan Berumen - Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 3/7/2019
- Adrian Berumen - Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 3/7/2019
- Tori Garten - Bartman MMA and Self-Defense - Silver Spring, MD - 3/27/2019
- Seth Caron - Calvert MMA Academy / Lineage BJJ - Sunderland, MD - 3/28/2019 [35]
- Julio Lima - Relson Gracie Curitiba - BRAZIL - 4/27/19
- Michael Stewart jr.- Rising Tide Academy - Columbia Maryland.-4/27/19
- Carter Lee - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/8/2019
- Shane Nakagawara - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/8/2019
- Antonio Criado - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/8/2019
- Kalani Pacyau - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI -10/8/2019
- Chad Kam - Relson Gracie/Team Papakolea Jiu-Jitsu- Honolulu, HI - 11/27/19
- Phil Clark - Phil Clark's Martial Arts Academy/Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu of Kentucky - Ashland, KY - 12/10/19
- Steve Salas - Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio - San Antonio, TX - 06/03/2021
- Mark Sanchez - Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio - San Antonio, TX - 06/03/2021
- Victor Ramos - Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio - San Antonio, TX - 06/03/2021
- Michael Campos - Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio - San Antonio, TX - 06/03/2021
- Michael Delgado - Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio - San Antonio, TX - 06/03/2021
- Ivelin Ivanov - Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Austin - Austin, TX - 06/03/2021
- Jordan Stewart - Rising Tide Academy - Columbia, Maryland - 06/12/2021
- Naqi Sayed - Rising Tide Academy - Columbia, Maryland - 06/12/2021
- Stephen Miller - Rising Tide Academy - Columbia, Maryland - 06/12/2021
- Dwayne Bowie - Kogen Dojo - Severna Park, Maryland - 06/12/2021
- Neil Verbrugge - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 6/18/2022
- Johnathan C. Bolton - Relson Gracie Jiu Jitsu Hawaii - Honolulu, HI - 6/20/2022
Personal
Relson has five children: Karina, Rishna, Rhalan, Kailani and Ka'ena. He also has 3 grandchildren. He travels the world teaching seminars. Relson received his 9th degree red belt from his eldest brother Rorion Gracie on April 6, 2013.
References
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE - Relson Gracie Receives His Red Belt". Youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-14. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ [1] February 18, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Relson Gracie Jiu Jitsu - Official Site". Relsongracie.com. 2013-04-07. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
- ^ [2] July 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [3] July 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Ordoñez, Milan (2020-01-30). "Relson Gracie released from prison after judge accepts medical cannabis defense". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2020-02-10.
- ^ "Brazil approves medical marijuana rules, blocks cannabis cultivation". Reuters. 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2020-02-10.
- ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2020-01-29). "Relson Gracie released from jail after judge accepts claim of medicinal cannabis use". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-02-10.
External links
- Relson Gracie Official Website
- Relson Gracie from gracieacademy.com
- Calvertmma.com
- Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (Austin Association)
- Denverjiujitsu.com
- Lineage BJJ