Jiu-Jitsu de Graca =
Jiu-Jitsu for Free
This saying and patch on my kimono was the beginning of SOULFIGHT.NET 2001. People thought I wore the patch to teach Jiu-Jitsu for Free; no payment. It meant when I do jiu-jitsu, I am free. Free to express myself honestly. I had the patch made in Rio de Janeiro in children letters because jiu-jitsu can make one feel like a child too.
Jiu-Jitsu de Graca came out of a talk I had with a surfer/Carlson Gracie black belt I met in a surf shop. We went surfing at Prainha, Rio de Janeiro. He asked me why I surf...I said to be free. He asked why I train...I said to be free. "Tony you are Jiu-Jitsu de Graca!" Like a soul fighter I replied.
This saying and patch on my kimono was the beginning of SOULFIGHT.NET 2001. People thought I wore the patch to teach Jiu-Jitsu for Free; no payment. It meant when I do jiu-jitsu, I am free. Free to express myself honestly. I had the patch made in Rio de Janeiro in children letters because jiu-jitsu can make one feel like a child too.
Jiu-Jitsu de Graca came out of a talk I had with a surfer/Carlson Gracie black belt I met in a surf shop. We went surfing at Prainha, Rio de Janeiro. He asked me why I surf...I said to be free. He asked why I train...I said to be free. "Tony you are Jiu-Jitsu de Graca!" Like a soul fighter I replied.