Who is Relson Gracie? / Gracie Arizona?

We made some announcements a few weeks back about when we confirmed our special guests Jiu Jitsu Academy - Gracie Arizona! What we didn't tell you was, who Relson Gracie is, and what significance he has to Brazilian culture worldwide! 

RELSON GRACIE:
Relson Gracie is the second oldest son of Grandmaster Helio Gracie, the man who is credited as innovating the Jiu-Jitsu taught by Mitsuyo “Count Koma” Maeda into what is now known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, also referred to as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Relson was born into the most influential martial arts family of the modern era. Ten years after the commissioning of Academia Gracie, Grandmaster Helio Gracie held the world’s first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu tournament in Gurilandia Clube, Botafogo. Relson competed in this historical event at the age of 10 and was the Brazilian National Champion in both his own weight class and the open division for an unprecedented 22 years straight! His record and domination of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu earned him the name “Campeao,” Portuguese for Champion. Relson’s accomplishments did not go unnoticed.

Although Relson’s techniques are deeply rooted in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, as taught to him by his father, Grandmaster Helio Gracie, his personal style has focused on “street effective” techniques. As such, he has developed a Jiu-Jitsu designed for defending yourself in a survival situation where there are no rules.

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GRACIE ARIZONA: (Nathan Zigler)
The school is run by Relson Gracie Black Belt Nathan Zigler. We pride ourselves on a friendly training atmosphere focused on the technical aspects of Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.  Whether you’re looking for self-defense, sport BJJ or just a great way to get fit while learning to defend yourself, this is a good school for you. We are a club, not a commercial business. Our priority is to train productively and safely in a fun, friendly environment. Our goal is to train and learn technique, not to pummel each other. However, do not mistake compassion for weakness; we have regular sparring matches as part of every class to test skills and provide aggressive training. Our reputation as a highly-technical and have various relationships with all of the other BJJ schools and instructors in town.

Nathan Zigler Accomplishments:

• Jiu Jitsu Black Belt 3rd degree
• 20 years Jiu Jitsu Experience
• 2012 Pan Am Bronze Medalist
• 2011 Worlds No-Gi Silver Medalist
• 2011 Grapplers Quest Gold Medalist
• 2003 Pan Am Gold Medalist
  

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"If you have ever been curious as to what it takes to learn, study and get invovled in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Brazilian Day will offer a 45 minute session with the Gracie Arizona Academy lead by Nathan Zigler and some of the top Jiu Jitsu students in the valley. Workshop is Free as part of the paid Ticket admission to the Brazilian Day Festival".