Rolls Gracie (Portuguese: [ˈɡɾejsi]; 1951–1982) was a Brazilian martial artist. He was a prominent member of the Gracie family known for their founding of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and considered by some the family's best ever fighter.[1] He was teacher of Rickson Gracie, Carlos Gracie Jr., Royler Gracie, Maurício "Maurição" Motta Gomes, Márcio "Macarrão" Stambowsky, Rigan Machado and Romero "Jacare" Cavalcanti.[2][3] He died in a hang-gliding accident in 1982. He is the father of Rolles Gracie and Igor Gracie.
Rolls Gracie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Born | Rio De Janeiro, Brazil | March 28, 1951|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | June 6, 1982 Resende, Brazil Hang gliding accident | (aged 31)|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Style | Gracie jiu-jitsu, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Judo, Wrestling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Teacher(s) | Helio Gracie, Georges Mehdi, Bob Anderson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rank | 9th deg. BJJ red belt | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notable students | Rickson Gracie, Carlos Gracie Jr., Royler Gracie, Rigan Machado, Márcio Stambowsky, Mauricio Motta Gomes, Romero Cavalcanti | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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The Famous Five was a nickname for the original five black belt students of Rolls Gracie, who were well-known for their fighting skills. Just prior to his untimely death, Rolls promoted a sixth black belt into the group. The established terminology persisted so that the following six men continued to be called "The Famous Five."[4]
Rolls would promote six individuals to black belt who are ironically known as the Famous Five.