The son of Hélio Gracie, the famous founder of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Royce Gracie, is expected in the country. Martial arts enthusiasts are overwhelmed with joy with the arrival of this great man who subjugated the world in the 90s.
Good news never arrives alone. After the arrival of world champion Vicente Cavalcanti, Madagascar will welcome yet another jiu-jitsu legend in the person of Royce Gracie. The news was confirmed by the Malagasy Jiu-Jitsu Federation yesterday. This bjj icon will lead a course in the capital from May 25 to 29, 2024. However, this course is dedicated not only to jujitsuka but also to all Malagasy fighters, because Royce Gracie is indeed an MMA champion. On this occasion, a seminar and a festival will be organized during which Madagascar will invite fighters from other neighboring islands and South Africa. This is an initiative of the two black belts, namely Arianala Razafimbola and Radafy Ranaivo Samy, currently in Canada, in collaboration with the Federation.
Currently aged 58, black belt, Royce Gracie won the first UFC tournament in 1993, a living MMA legend. He is a member of the Gracie family, more precisely son of Hélio Gracie, original founder of the Brazilian version of traditional jiu-jitsu, imported by the Japanese Mitsuyo Maéda in the 1920s to Brazil. Royce is subsequently known for having popularized Brazilian jiu-jitsu through his impressive victories in the first editions of the UFC and in the 90s. November 12, 1993 during the first UFC, a date that would change the history of martial arts forever, he has beaten ten world champions of different predefined fighting styles, while he has practically no track record compared to his opponents. Royce Gracie’s victory is a revolution in the world of martial arts, because it demonstrates the importance of submission fighting. From then on, Brazilian jiu-jitsu experienced phenomenal growth and spread across the world.
Manjata Razafy