Capital Jiu-Jitsu Mourns the Passing of Grandmaster Helio Gracie
January 29, 2009
Today Grandmaster Helio Gracie passed away at the age of 95. His son, Royce Gracie, quickly boarded a plane to be with family Rio de Janeiro.
I would like for us to celebrate and remember Grandmaster Helio Gracie for living a life full of passion, and providing us all with the opportunity to learn and train in the wonderful science of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Without Grandmaster's pioneering spirit, and lifelong dedication to learning, training and teaching, we would not have the privilege we do today to study the system of self-defense, throwing and grappling that is now esteemed by martial artists around the world.
Rodrigo Gracie called me this morning to say that there are two ways to remember our Grandmaster. Some will close their schools out of respect, and others will train harder today than they have in a long time. Capital Jiu-Jitsu chose the latter, and today celebrates Helio Gracie's life with the learning, training and teaching of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. We do so with a passion that we hope Helio would take pride in.
Rest Peacefully Grandmaster Helio Gracie.
Jeremy Lafreniere
Owner/Head Instructor
