Rolls Gracie
Rolls Gracie (
March 28,
1951 -
June 6,
1982) was a notable practitioner of
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
As a child, young Rolls was sent to live with his uncle
Helio Gracie and like most the other Gracies, he trained extensively in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Rolls trained and taught at Carlson's Copacabana Academy and eventually met a Judo practitioner named Osvaldo Alves, who trained with him for a year, perfecting his game. Upon his return to Carlson's school, Rolls trained and influenced
Rickson Gracie,
Royler Gracie,
Carlos Gracie Jr., Rillion, and Crolin Gracie. Rolls competed in many tournements in various Martial Arts styles including Sambo and Wrestling. The video
Gracie in Action, documents Rolls and several of his students easily defeating several Karate students and their teacher.In 1978 Rolls met Bob Anderson, a member of FILA (The World Wrestling Organization). Eventually the two formed a close friendship and this helped transform Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into an even wider art. Eventually, Rolls and Anderson went to the AAU National Sambo Championships and the YMCA National Championships. Both of them won their respective divisions.
On June 6, 1982 Rolls Gracie died during a
hang gliding accident in the mountains of Maua. Rolls had only promoted 6 men to Black Belt before his untimely death:
* Marcio 'Maccarao' Stambowsky
*
Mauricio Motta Gomes (father of
Roger Gracie)
*
Romero 'Jacare' Cavalcanti (founder of
Alliance BJJ)
* Nicin Azulay
* Paulo Conde
* Talarico
His sons Igor and Rolles Jr are BJJ Black Belts and active competitors today.
Main references
*
Rolls on bjj.org*
Jacare on bjj.org*
Mauricio Gomes on bjj.orgInterviews
*
Interview with Jacare*
Interview with Mauricio Gomes
