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Jim Hughes and Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & MMA Self Defense Schools of Hartford CT, Boston MASS, & New Haven, Glastonbury, Southington, Stratford, Danbury, East Windsor, Enfield, UCONN, Norwich, Agawam

Posted on February 7, 2009 - by Jim Hughes

A Message From Royce Gracie regarding the passing of his father Grandmaster Helio Gracie

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Helio Gracie
October 1, 1913 – January 29, 2009.

Friends,

Today my father, Helio, at the age of 95 passed on. I am honored to be the son of such a great man! He was an inspiration to me throughout my life. As a Grandmaster of Jiu-Jitsu and the father of “Vale Tudo” he brought Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the forefront of martial arts. He was a man of small stature but his heart was that of a giant. He proved with Gracie Jiu-Jitsu that even a small man could overcome a bigger stronger opponent by using leverage and technique. He was truly an innovator. Just look around and you can see how his success gave birth to the sport of mixed martial arts that we all enjoy today.

Many of you may think that the greatest thing my father ever gave me was Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. But I want all of you to know that I will remember him most for what he taught me off the matt. He taught me how to be a man, a husband and a father. He showed me how to be honorable, respectful and diligent. He taught me how to be a whole person.

I ask that together we celebrate the remarkable life of my father, Helio Gracie. The greatest tribute you can to pay to my father is to continue to train and share Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, remembering to never lose sight of the fact that what you do off the matt counts more than what you do on the matt. Face life’s challenges with confidence, dare to pursue your dreams and live to the fullest just as my father did.

God bless us all!

Royce

This entry was posted on Saturday, February 7th, 2009 at 11:22 am and is filed under news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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    February 7, 2009

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    Michael Murphy said:


    Wow, I am overwhelmed with emotion. You would think that the son of the greatest martial artist in the world, would have said that the greatest thing his father ever taught him was jiu jitsu. But no, the greatest things were the lessons he taught him about life, how to be a man, how to be a husband, how to be a father. These are things that all of us can do. With the utmost humblest respect and gratitude, thank you, Mr. Helio Gracie and Mr. Royce Gracie.