History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
The Jiu-Jitsu has been around for centuries. Originating in India more than 2,000 years ago, it spread through China and eventually settled in Japan. In 1914, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champions, Esai Maeda and Inomata arrived in Brazil to assist the Japanese immigration colony. They were aided by Gastao Gracie, a scholar and politician of Scottish decent. To show Maeda's gratitude, the oriental master taught secrets of that ancient fighting style to Gastao's son, Carlos Gracie. Jiu-Jitsu, which translates into "gentle art", shows to be the most efficient in realistic combat. Based on leverages, choke holds and various sweeps, it combines the effectiveness of training with true knowledge of self-defense.
Jiu-Jitsu at The Ultima
Chuck Norris brought the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu seminar to the U.S. in 1988. Mr. Norris had just returned from a trip to Brazil where he trained with Rickson Gracie and Rickson's father Helio Gracie, the Grand Master of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Mr. Norris was so impressed with their style and technique that he invited them to conduct a seminar in Las Vegas for his Karate Black Belts. This seminar brought about an enormous amount of publicity and thanks to Mr. Norris, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu found its place in the United States. Charles Allen was one of the black belts present who attended these seminars.
Mr. Allen was equally impressed and continued his training with these techniques and began sharing them with his students. Though living in Arizona, he had to travel to California to learn more skills. In 1991, Mr. Allen brought the Machado brothers to Arizona to hold seminars.
The Machado brothers promoted Charles Allen to Blue Belt in 1993. Since that time, Mr. Allen has traveled to Brazil several times to train under Master Pedro Hemetrio who was Mr. Helio Gracie's first Black Belt. Master Hemetrio is an undefeated "Vale Tudo" (no holds barred fighting) fighter and has never lost a match in his career.
Today, Master Hemetrio is 79 years old and still operates a studio in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Mr. Allen attained a Blue Belt from Master Hemetrio in 1995. Mr. Allen attained his Purple Belt from Professor Pedro Sauer.
In 1999 and in 2000, Mr. Allen won the gold medal at the Pan-American Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Florida. He took home the silver in 2001.
On Sept. 2, 2001, Mr. Allen won the gold Medal in the middleweight, and silver in the Open Weight at the masters and seniors World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
On March 16th 2002, Mr. Allen received his Brown Belt from Pedro Sauer.
In October 2003, Mr. Allen and family moved to Orlando, FL where he started his training with Marcio Simas.
Marcio Simas is considered by many to be one of the top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors in the South-Eastern United States. He is the only Jiu-Jitsu teacher in Florida who studied under the legendary Rolls Gracie (who is regarded as the best Jiu-Jitsu fighter in the history of the Gracie family). Marcio received both his Blue Belt and his Purple Belt at Roll's Copacabana Academy in Rio De Janerio. After Rolls' tragic death at the age of 32, Marcio began a student of Rickson Gracie at the famous Gracie Humaita Academy where he earned his Brown Belt.
When his family moved to the outer suburb of Rio De Janerio, known as Barra de Tijuca, Marcio was able to reunite with his old friend Carlos Gracie Jr. When Rolls passed away, Carlos Gracie Jr., was unanimously voted by the students to take over the teaching. Soon after, Carlos moved the academy to Barra de Tijuca where he founded the Gracie-Barra Academy. Marcio was awarded his Black Belt by Renzo Gracie, Ralph Gracie, Crolin Gracie, Rillion Gracie, Rigan Machado, Jean-Jacques Machado, Marcio Feitosa and numerous world champions.
Marcio has been teaching in Orlando for the past 10 years. He is proud to be representing Carlos Gracie Jr. at the Gracie-Barra Orlando Academy. He is currently a 4th Degree Black Belt under Carlos Gracie, and has awarded 9 Black Belts over the past 10 years. His deep understanding and respect for the tradition of the Gracie family motivates his students too. Mr. Allen recently received his Black Belt from Marcio Simas, on March 5th 2005.
