In 1914 Japanese Judo and jiu-jitsu expert, Mitsuyo Maeda "Count Koma", migrated to Brazil. It was in Brazil that Count Koma met Gastao Gracie who would help Meada establish a Japanese colony. To show his gratitude to Gracie, Meada offered to teach Judo to his eldest son, Carlos Gracie. Carlos quickly took to learning Japanese Judo. Carlos was no ordinary student and wanted to know much more. He was looking to develop techniques that would work in real fights, regardless of the opponent's size or strength. So young Carlos began to refine the techniques he learned by fighting in hundreds of no rules fights. He kept only what worked and discarded the rest. Carlos opened the first Academy of Jiu-jitsu in 1925 in Belem, Brazil with his younger brothers Oswaldo, Gastao, Jorge and Helio. The Jiu-jitsu he developed, Gracie Jiu-jitsu, is today practiced around the world in thousands of Martial Arts schools and is most recognized for it's ultimate effectiveness in both self-defense and sport. Gracie jiu-jitsu classes are available in Manchester, NH.
