Carlson Gracie Passes Away

[ryanm2k4]

From Dave Meltzer:

Carlson Gracie, Sr., considered in Brazil as the greatest fighter in the world during the 50s and 60s, passed away earlier today.

He was in rough shape last night after passing a kidney stone and was found to be suffering from a liver infection.

After Helio Gracie suffered a broken arm in his final fight against a younger Brazilian in the late 50s, younger brother Carlson avenged that defeat and defeated many others to earn the symbolic claim as the toughest fighter.

He is the father of Renzo and Ralph Gracie and uncle of Royce, Rickson and Royler Gracie. Carlson had run the Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy in Chicago and was the coach of Stephan Bonnar.

[LWPD]

What the Grand Master Carlson Gracie did for both the sport of MMA and the art of Gracie Jiu Jitsu cannot be overstated. Without question he was an asset and a pioneer. He was a great champion and teacher, a friend and father figure to many, and truly a kind and generous person. A giant among men.

My condolences and prayers go out to his loved ones. May God watch over his family and students. He will be missed.

RIP

"I will never forget when I was a newbie blue belt a bunch of really "big name" black belts had dropped by my teacher's school. There was a big seminar that weekend. My teacher was talking with them, as was Carlson, but Carlson was also watching some beginners roll out of the corner of his eye. Once in a while he would yell out instructions to the beginners.

I had a little question I had long wanted to ask him, so I thought this is my big chance to ask CARLSON GRACIE my question. I was actually a little nervous to ask him; I didn't want to interrupt this living legend talking with a group of world champions. But when there was a little break in the conversation, I asked him and Carlson turns to me and pays full attention to what I am saying, as if it's very important for him to hear.

He understood the question, but he taps my teacher on the back to have him translate his answer. He did this over and over again. (Soon my teacher turned his chair around to become a full-time translator). We had a conversation like this for 20-minutes, until I couldn't think of any more questions if I had wanted to. He answered EVERY question I ever had about BJJ and seemed very happy to do it. Only when he was satisfied that I had gotten all the info I wanted would he let me go.

I will never forget his answers, but more importantly I will never forget how much kind attention and focus Carlson paid to a BJJ "nobody" like me. That's when I became a life-long Carlson Gracie fan. "

[LWPD]

Carlson Gracie Sr. Tribute

tinyurl.com/d6ryo