There’s a giant in my backyard

January, 17 Carlinhos turned 56.

Since 1994 (therefore for the last 18 years), I was lucky enough to be very close to IBJJF, Gracie Barra and GRACIEMAG founder.

Carlos Gracie Jr, 56, trains Jiu-Jitsu almost everyday, setting great examples for his followers. Photo by Luca Atalla

A man of great philosophical knowledge, and who has very simple ways to interpret people’s feelings, behavior and attitudes, attributes that even the wisest people on earth tend to complicate a lot when explaining.

But, most of all, a man who sets great examples.

I can fill several books with good Carlinhos stories. Let me pull up one that enlightens well one of his virtues:

Back in 1994, he lived in an one bedroom house with his former wife and his children then, Caroline and Kayron.

Carlinhos used his living room as the office for the National Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (CBJJ) and for the Jornal Gracie (the father of GRACIEMAG). One day I arrived to work, and saw a giant laid over a mattress in the backyard, sleeping in the middle of Carlinhos lawn.

That was Ricardo Morais, a 6’8” fighter who came from the North of the country, and had no place to stay. Carlinhos, even without knowing him well, allowed him to sleep in the garage (Ricardo though it was too hot so he decided to lay in the lawn), and even got a sponsor to cover his expenses. “Ricardao” (or, “Big Ricardo”) lived there for about six months, and Carlinhos taught Jiu-Jitsu to him even during the weekends.

Eventually, the jealous of some people ended Ricardo’s sponsorship; fellow athletes complained that he was earning too much money since he was only a blue belt back then. Thus Ricardo decided to go back and live with his family. Not happy, a couple of years later, Carlinhos got Ricardo a job in Abu Dhabi, where he lived for a few years, and was able to train and fight in Japan.

Jiu-Jitsu as a profession

That was not the only time he did such a thing for someone. Kleber Buiu, nowadays an adult blackbelt teaching at Gracie Barra headquartes in Brazil, used to wander Barra da Tijuca neighborhood as a homeless, until Carlinhos invited him to live in his house. Over 10 years later, Buiu still lives there, but has a steady life, even having a gig as a model for a famous underwear brand in Brazil.

Countless times he did the same for relatives. The only condition he demanded, always, was for them to train Jiu-Jitsu.

One day I went to work and saw this big guy laid in Carlinhos backyard.

He knew he was shaping great characters, and also giving people not only a ceiling but mainly a profession.

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What about yourself, have any story of Master Carlos Jr. to share? Feel free to use the comments section below