Royce Spreading The Word of Gracie BJJ

Three time UFC champ and K1 fighter Royce Gracie's brother Rolker Gracie is traveling to Connecticut and Massachusetts for the week beginning Saturday February 24. Rolker has been by Royce Gracie's side at every fight since the first UFC quietly supporting his Brother and helping to make Gracie Jiu Jitsu a household name in North America.

Jim Hughes, gracie-jiu-jitsu.com, Royce Gracie's representative in New England, comments "we have 10 Schools throughout CT, MASS, and Puerto Rico (West Hartford, Glastonbury, Southington, Danbury, New Haven, Norwich, UCONN Storrs, Agawam MA, Boston MA, and Puerto Rico), our success is partly due to the commitment of Rolker Gracie. . . Think about it, Rolker was having lunch with his father (Grandmaster Helio Gracie) a couple days ago at his farm in Brazil and tomorrow he is training with us. You can't get closer to the source of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu than that, unless somehow you were magically adopted by the family."

Indeed, commitment appears to be the name of the game when it comes to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The roots of this exploding martial art go back to Master Maeda who traveled from Japan throughout the world, testing and demonstrating his skills all the way to Brazil. He settled there and helped the Gracie Family learn the basics of Jiu Jitsu. From there a young Helio Gracie, through dedication and keen observation, became a skilled practitioner himself. Helio became so proficient at the art that he was able to improve on it, revolutionizing the art of Japanese Jiu-jitsu and creating what is known today as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or BJJ. Helio passed his knowledge down to his sons. Helio's son Rolker Gracie, now considered master in the family art, travels regularly to visit Jim Hughes and students in New England. Mr. Gracie stated, “Jim Hughes has been there with us at many events, he is a dedicated student of my father, and he has the best Academys and Coaches, I like coming to Connecticut to teach.” Paul Bratslavsky of Jim Hughes and Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu SuperKids in Boston and Hartford says “I'm so excited to train with and learn from Rolker, the kids in the karate and jiu Jitsu self defense program like the idea of our connection with the original source of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.” Rolker Gracie's lively sense of humor makes him a magnet for hungry Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners.

Brad Wolfson, Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach in New Haven CT, recalls his past experiences with Rolker as always interesting. Rolker is a crowd favorite here at Jim Hughes and Royce Gracie New England because he keeps everybody in stitches with his unusual sense of humor. Rolker follows in a Gracie trait shared with other family members such as Royce, Rodrigo, and Royler, they all are extremely serious about what they do and at the same time they are funny. Charlie McShane another Jim Hughes and Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach located in Norwich CT says “Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an interesting and fun practice but most importantly, it works!” While the training is reportedly fun and entertaining, Bruno (Brian Lichtenstein of lichtensteinfinancial.com) reminds everyone that this isn't a comedy club and that he is looking forward to the rigorous training Rolker is going to put everyone through, “it is what helps me perform at my best level during tax season, the busiest time of my year.” Everyone involved seems to agree that their community of dedicated teachers and training partners give them a competitive edge in their personal and professional lives. Rolker Gracie's schedule can be found at roycegraciejiujitsu.com

Jim Hughes and Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a professional coaching organization with 10 locations throughout New England focusing on proven self defense skills and family fitness

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