Instructor Lineage

Carlos Gracie ---> Carlson Gracie---> Rodrigo Medeiros---> Tony Pacenski---> You
 Grand Master Carlos Gracie
The Gracie style was created in Brazil in the early part of this century by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pioneer Carlos Gracie, who studied traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu as a teenager under the great Japanese champion, Mitsuyo Maeda (to the left of the Japanese flag: known in Brazil as Conde Koma -- the "Count of Combat").

Carlos Gracie, who was interested in streetfighting and was also a boxer, quickly modified the classical techniques he learned from Count Koma to meet the demands of real, "no rules" fighting in the streets of Brazil. The young Carlos Gracie then tested and refined his system through constant matches, open to all comers, constantly working to make it more effective. At one point, he even advertised in newspapers and on street corners for new opponents upon whom to practice and further refine his art. He fought anyone and everyone who was willing, regardless of size, weight or fighting style. Even though he was a mere 135 pounds, his style was so effective that Carlos Gracie was never defeated and became a legend in Brazil.

This tradition of open challenge is a part of the heritage of the Gracie style of jiu-jitsu. Carlos Gracie taught his style of jiu-jitsu to his four younger brothers (Oswaldo, Gastão, Jorge, and finally Helio) and to his older sons (including Carlson and Carley), and they in turn taught their brothers, sons, nephews and cousins. After Carlos retired from the ring, he managed the fight careers of his brothers and sons, continuing to challenge fighters of all styles throughout the world. This tradition of open challenge has been continued by his sons, grandsons, brothers, nephews, and students, who have consistently demonstrated the superiority of the Gracie style in real fights and minimum-rule matches in rings throughout the world. (Revised from gracie.com)

 Master Carlson Gracie

Eldest son of Carlos Gracie, the man who founded Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil, Carlson was launched by the family in the challenge against Waldemar Santana, who had defeated uncle Helio in the anthological bout that lasted 3:40h, held in 1955. Six months later, at 21, he would go into the ring in order to avenge the uncle in little less than 40 minutes, in a bout the press depicted as “a massacre.” This would be the first of four fights against Waldemar (two wins, two draws) in Carlson’s record of 19 professional combats, with one loss.

After retiring from Mixed Martial Arts contests, Carlson dedicated himself to teaching Jiu-Jitsu, and his team reigned supreme in the tournaments held from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. He raised such black-belts as Sérgio Iris (“Serginho de Niterói”), Cássio Cardoso, Peixotinho, Ricardo de la Riva, Murilo Bustamante, Amaury Bitetti, Ricardo Libório, Zé Mario Sperry and Wallid Ismail, amongst 200 graduates (including Rodrigo Medeiros).  Carlson Gracie passed away February 1, 2006.  (Revised from graciemagazine)

 Professor Rodrigo Medeiros

Rodrigo Medeiros was born in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. He started training in Judo when he was 5 years old, and has a brown belt in Judo. At 12 years old he started training in Jiu-Jitsu, invited by his friend Maneco, who is a black belt from Carlson Gracie. After training with Maneco, Rodrigo started training with Carlson Gracie, and has been with Carlson Gracie until he passed away.

Rodrigo has his own Academy in Rio located at Leblon Beach. It has been operational for over 12 years, and has produced many champions like Carlson Gracie's academy.  The academy is an affiliate of Carlson Gracie's academy in Rio, Brazil.

Rodrigo has been living in California for over 10 years and opened two academy locations: in Pacific Beach (San Diego) and La Habra (Los Angeles), and has been producing many champions with a high level of instruction to competitors and students who want to learn the art of jiu jitsu.

Rodrigo has competed in over 80 different Jiu-Jitsu tournaments and almost 300 competition matches. Winning most. He won 1st place in the Rio De Janeiro State tournament in July of 2000 and 1st place in the 2001 world championship in Rio de Janeiro. Rodrigo was Brazilian champion five times, from 1991-1995. He was considered the best technical athlete of all the tournaments, including the Brazilian championship and the Rio De Janeiro championship.

He is also a member of Carlson's elite team. And he has been raised with some of the top names of the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu history, like Alan Goes, Murilo Bustamante, Mario (Zen Machine) Sperry, Carlos (Carlao) Barreto, Wallid Ismail, Ricardo Liborio, Roberto (Bebeo) Duarte, Rey Diogo, Dela Riva, Cassio Cardoso, Carlson Gracie Jr., Marcelo Alonso, Bolao, Maneco, Clovis, Crezio Chaves, Julio Fernades, Marcos Soares, Conan, Rosadao, Rinaldo Santos, Parrupinha, Toco, Renato Tavares and other great fighters.

Rodrigo is the co-founder of a competition team in association with Julio Fernandes ( Foca) called BJJ-REVOLUTION TEAM with the goal to make a nation wide top competition team in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  With affiliate schools in Brazil, Europe, Canada & across the United States and after winning the US Nationals Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team Tournament in 2005 and 2006, Foca and Rodrigo's goals are starting to materialize in the tradition of the Carlson Gracie Team! (Revise from www.rodrigomedeirosbjj.com)  

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