Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Schools Legacy And History

The Gracie family has played a pivotal role in the popularisation as well as the evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu over the decades. Among the many Gracie family members who have contributed to the art, Roger Gracie stands out as one of the most accomplished and decorated champions in the modern BJJ. Roger Gracie has not only left a mark on the grappling sport through his 10 World Champion Titles but has also established a BJJ legacy that continues to thrive through his BJJ Academies spread all over the globe.

In this article, we will explore the history and remarkable legacy of the renowned Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, and delve into the key factors that have made it a beacon of excellence in the world of BJJ.

1. History of Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

1.1. Foundation of Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy

In 2004, Roger Gracie founded his grappling academy in collaboration with his father, the esteemed 8th-degree red and white Coral Belt, Master Motta Gomes. Roger founded his academy at the age of 21 when he was a Brown Belt Champion. The academy has since become a hub for Jiu-Jitsu enthusiasts, offering an unparalleled training program and experience that upholds the decades-old Gracie tradition of contributing to the legacy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

1.2. Headquarters of Roger Gracie

The Headquarters of Roger Gracie Academy is Located in the heart of Ladbroke Grove, London. Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy offers comprehensive training programs designed to cater to practitioners of all ages and skill levels.

It is not just a gym, it is a community of passionate BJJ practitioners who share a common goal of mastering this martial art under the roof of grappling masters. A team of world-class instructors helps in providing an immersive learning experience that goes beyond technique and physical fitness.

1.3. Training Programs At Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

At the Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, these training programs are designed with utmost care to develop the necessary mental fortitude and discipline to excel in the realms of BJJ and kickboxing. The curriculum is thoughtfully tailored to meet the individual needs of each student, covering everything from the fundamentals of BJJ Gi and No-Gi to advanced techniques. Roger Jiu-Jitsu Academy also encourages its students to set goals, and work towards achieving them, both on and off the mat.

The academy's commitment to excellence extends beyond its training program. Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu prides itself on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is encouraged to reach their full potential. The academy has a strong sense of community and values the relationships built within its walls. 

1.4. Ideology Behind the Creation of Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Institute

For Roger Gracie, martial arts is more than just physical fitness and combat skills. It's a way of life that can transform practitioners both mentally and physically. So, his passion for grappling and a belief in the transformative power of martial arts urged him to establish a Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

However, another motive in establishing Roger Jiu-Jitsu is to share his knowledge and experience to inspire the students of the next generation who want to either learn self-defense or pursue their own journey in BJJ/MMA and kickboxing. It’s also a dream of BJJ enthusiasts to raise the talented name in grappling and make them icons of ground fighting. His belief in the transformative power of martial arts has not only influenced the students' lives but has also impacted the wider BJJ and martial arts community.

1.5. Instructors At Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

A team of talented instructors including Master Gomes, Raphael Gustavo and many more from Brazil or other parts of the world helps the students develop their skills and reach their full potential in a supportive and nurturing environment at Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

1.6. The Motto of Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

The primary motto of Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is to work with Discipline, Consistency, Accountability, Authenticity, and Alignment. 

2. The Legacy of Roger Gracie Academy

The legacy of Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu extends beyond the mat. Because it’s a legacy built on the principles of hard work, excellence, and dedication of its students and instructors. These values are instilled in students from day one, and they carry these principles with them throughout their lives.

The Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy is known for its rigorous training programs that emphasize the development of technical skills, physical fitness, self-defense, and mental toughness. For over a decade, the academy has been producing some of the world's top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners and competitors.

However, the impact of the academy and Roger Gracie's legacy can be seen not only in the success of its students on national and international grounds but in the wider Jiu-Jitsu community. Many of the academy's instructors and students carry on to achieve higher ranks.

3. IBJJF Registered Black Belts of Roger’s Academy

Champions	Belt Rank
Andre Ferreira Gomes	Black Belt
Rui Filipe Pinho dos Reis	Black Belt
Pablo Cabo Medina	Black Belt
Nathan Keith Jones	Black Belt
Egidijus Markevicius	Black Belt
Darren Mitchell Sterling	Black Belt
Danielius Girdiušas	Black Belt
Christopher Alan Foran	Black Belt
Asif Mohmed Salim Patel	Black Belt
Angel Revuelta Cabrera	Black Belt
Antonio Marcos da Fonseca Santana	2nd-Degree Black Belt
Hélio Jorge Palage Jasse Pereira	2nd-Degree Black Belt
Ian Fell	2nd-Degree Black Belt
Oliver Leys Geddes	3rd-Degree Black Belt
Roger Gracie	5th-Degree Black Belt
Maurício Motta Gomes	8th-Degree Red and White Belt

4. IBJJF Registered Roger’s Academies

“The outstanding response and performance of the athletes and students urged Roger Gracie to establish a network of affiliates across Europe, Africa, and Asia, offering high-quality training to aspiring BJJ practitioners.”

Through countless efforts, he successfully registered his 10 IBJJF-registered academies in Austria, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, and in the UK. These academies are run by certified instructors who have been trained by Roger Gracie himself or by his team of experts.

5. Roger Jiu-Jitsu Ranking 2019-2022

Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu has set a remarkable record by securing the 28th position in the overall IBJJF rankings and the 13th position in the Grand Slam . Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy's exceptional performance in the Grand Slam tournament is particularly noteworthy. The Grand Slam events are the most prestigious BJJ competitions in the world, attracting the best athletes from around the globe.

All credit for the academy's success in the IBJJF rankings goes to its world-class training program and the dedicated efforts of its students and coaches.

6. Top Instructors of Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Gym

6.1. Professor Henrique JR “Juniao’

At the Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Professor Henrique is a highly-respected coach and 2nd-degree black belt. He began his journey at the academy as a blue-belt athlete and honed his skills under the expert mentorship of Roger Gracie. He is a 3-time European Champion.

Today, he is one of the academy's most talented and active coaches, passing on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of BJJ practitioners. However, the list of other proficient instructors at Roger’s academy is mentioned below.

Instructors	Belt Rank
Bruno Zancaner	3rd-Degree Black Belt
Raphael Gustavo	3rd-Degree Black Belt
Joe Lennon	2nd-Degree Black Belt
Uyi Agbontean	2nd-Degree Black Belt
Nima Hashemi	1st-Degree Black Belt
Oscar Guagala	1st-Degree Black Belt
Kywan Gracie	1st-Degree Black Belt
Pablo Mesples	1st-Degree Black Belt
Alex Smith	Black Belt
Nina Navid	Black Belt
Faris Ben-Lamkadem	Black Belt
Kasia Jagusiak	Black Belt
Nick Wood (head Kick Boxing Instructor)	Black Belt
Alioune Mbow	Purple Belt
Benjamin Yague	Purple Belt

Under the guidance of all these instructors, students learn the technical aspects of the sport.

7. Conclusion

The Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy has a rich history and legacy that is closely intertwined with the Gracie family's dedication to preserving and advancing the art of Jiu-Jitsu.

However, the primary focus of the Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy is on enhancing and perfecting the fundamental techniques of grappling art. The academy's instructors are committed to excellence and innovation, providing a comprehensive and distinctive learning experience for enthusiastic students. The Academy's atmosphere is also welcoming and inclusive.

Grapplers can only achieve success in the world of grappling by refining their technical skills and defenses and the Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu enables BJJ enthusiasts to grow technically and mentally.

Photo Credit: @rogergracieassociation