Tererê demonstrates hook sweep at recent seminar in São Paulo. Publicity photo.

The latest issue of GRACIEMAG is especially savory for Jiu-Jitsu practitioners aiming to evolve.

One of the highlights is a tribute to one of the greatest mat aces of all times, and the ones who benefit are our readers. Fernando Tererê (Alliance), now living in England, was picked to head the Training Program section, where he shares some of the techniques that marked his career.

One of them is of course the hook sweep that brought gymnasiums to their feet all across Brazil during the last two decades.

Starting kneeling or playing guard, with hooks in place, Tererê caught everyone by surprise with his use of basic leverage.

He’d position one foot between his opponents’ legs and the otherbehind their thigh. From there, Tererê would use the hook he was using for support as leverage for the sweep. With the hand on the same side as the hook, the black belt would sink a deadly grip either on the belt or the leg, depending on the situation. He would thus use his own leg to hoist his opponent up into the air and tip him over.

Check out the position in greater detail in GRACIEMAG #179, now at a bookstore near you. And to not miss a beat in the future, get GRACIEMAG in the comfort of your own home by subscribing here.

In the meantime, refresh your memory of the position by watching Tererê using it against Rodrigo Feijão in the grand finale of the 1999 Brazilian Team Nationals in Rio.

Reis, in photo against Theodoro Canal in Rio Open 2010 final / Photo by Gustavo Aragão

If you’ve got a Facebook account and speakers on your computer, check out the Jiu-Jitsu rap that Mário Reis and Fernando Tererê drummed up together recently in Porto Alegre.

The video was recommended by our reader Lucas Nest – thanks, Lucas! Click here, listen and comment.

And take the chance to “like” GRACIEMAG’s Facebook page.

Photos: Ivan Trindade

The life of Fernando Tererê, 31, has gained public attention for its glories and its tragedies.

The glories were all conquered in the gi, a result of his unique talent.

“I was a world champion from blue belt to black,” he recollects.

His winning routine began in 1997, when at 17 he won the lightweight division.

With every passing year, Tererê moved up a belt and kept taking his place at the top of the podium.

In 1998, he won his second world title, at purple belt; in 1999, as a brown belt, his third.

In the year 2000, he made his black belt debut and was crowned four-time world champion.

In 2001, he took runner-up after losing the middleweight title to Victor “Shaolin” Ribeiro.

In 2003, he had his greatest moment of all. He won his second world title as a black belt (fifth overall) upon submitting Marcelo Garcia in the middleweight final.

No one since then has even managed to beat Garcia in the division, much less submit him.

In 2004, rather than defend his throne, he decided to test himself against the big guys, signing up for the ultra heavyweight division, despite weighing only 80 kg.

He ended up taking runner-up, losing to Fabrício Werdum.

It was in 2004 that his problems turned into tragedies.

Following a two-week stint teaching seminars in the United States, Tererê suffered a mental breakdown on a flight from Miami to São Paulo.

Just three years after September 11, 2001, he disturbed passengers’ peace and was given the severe penalty of spending30 days in custody in Florida.

What followed the crisis was more psychological issues that alcohol and drugs only made worse.

“I spent six years away from Jiu-Jitsu. Six years without putting on a gi,” Fernando asserts.

Over those six years, now and again he would resurface, but he didn’t seem to be well. The news coming from his end got worse and worse.

Diagnosed with severe depression, on November 16, 2009, on his 30th birthday, GRACIEMAG.com put in a call to his home, in the Cantagalo favela of Rio de Janeiro.

His mother, Regina Helena, answered the phone, but there was no joy in her voice: “He stays in his room almost all day. We made a cake and sang Happy Birthday, but I don’t think he really understands what’s going on.”

Despite the deteriorating outlook, Helena was sure of one thing: “The family will never give up on him!”

Days after the phone call, more news arose, and with it, hope.

Finally, Tererê had agreed to be treated for depression and drug abuse – crack even.

“I went to some clinics and did a complete detox,” recalls Tererê.

The cost of his treatment was footed by friends, acquaintances and fans. Stars like Marcelo Garcia, Bráulio Estima, Rômulo Barral and other collaborated by holding seminars, auctions and making donations to pay for the clinic in São Paulo state.

In March 2010, the news was better; the champ had put on weight and rediscovered his smile. In May, he went back to training with Alexandre “Gigi” Paiva at Alliance Rio. In June he was in Mexico teaching seminars. In July he headed for Europe. He passed through England, Poland, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Portugal and Italy in over three months of travel.

In 2011, Tererê continued to make changes in his life. In August, he joined Sasha Hook, and English girl, in matrimony. Now he plans to go live in the country of his beloved.

“I just waiting on the visa,” he reveals.

Before flying out, he’s continuing to make his living through seminars. We caught up with him early last night in Porto Alegre, Brazil, at the location for the next of them.

We caught up with him at the academy of Mário Reis, who recently joined up with Alliance, and class was packed.

As Tererê arrives on the scene he is greeted by everyone, many of them white and blue belts who had never seen him compete before, if not in videos on the internet. Even so, the reverence and support was there.

“It’s this affection and support that makes me forge ahead,” he remarks, already sporting the custom gi made for him by his new sponsor, Tatami Fight Wear.

And forging ahead also means returning to the USA, without fear.

“I want to train with my friends, Cobrinha, Michael Langhi, Lucas Lepri…” he announces.

But won’t his having been detained there in 2004 be a problem?

“I wasn’t deported, so there’s nothing holding me back from getting a new visa,” he replies.

But before his stateside return, he’ll head back to England to meet up with Sasha and get his plans for a brighter future underway.

“I want to set up my own academy, start my own team, but first I’ll keep up the seminar routine. That’s how I’ve been making my living since leaving the clinic,” he reveals.

Mário Reis has already wrapped up the students’ warmup. Before teaching the first position of the night, he advises his students that Tererê will be holding a seminar there in two weeks.

“It’ll be 60 reais (35 dollars) to learn from a legend! No one should miss this opportunity to learn from the guy who taught Cobrinha, Langhi, André Galvão. He taught Ramon Lemos and others,” Reis informed them.

After a photo shoot to be published in GRACIEMAG, Tererê agreed to teach the position in the video.

He demonstrates a hook sweep that ends with an armbar.

Worked up, he decides to show all the students the position.

He gives instructions naturally; Tererê repeats then, emphasizing the finer details.

Everyone pays their full attention. A number of them take out their cell phones to film his explanation.

The position taught, Tererê observes them as they attempt the move.

Before making our way out, we ask one last question. When will we see him back in competition? It would be great to see him at the Europeans in 2012.

He smiles and gives an enigmatic answer, speaking softly, “I’m waiting on my body to fill out!”

We’ll be rooting for him.

Gigi and Tererê / Publicity photo

Currently residing in England, Fernando “Tererê” is back in Brazil for a spell teaching seminars, during which he stopped in at the Alliance branch in Leblon, headed by Alexandre Paiva.

“Great seminar by the world champion Fernando Tererê today at Alliance! Everyone who participated had a one-time chance to learn techniques from a great fighter and teacher. I’m so happy to have participated. Thanks, Tererê!” posted Gigi on Facebook.

Gang reunited at Alliance / Publicity photo

The black belt was joined in matrimony with Sasha Hook, in a civil ceremony.

One of the most beloved figures in Jiu-Jitsu history, the Rio de Janeiro commented on the new union in a post on Facebook:

“I got married to Sasha today and I’m really happy with her. I hope to live with this happiness till the end of time!”

The GRACIEMAG.com sends its heartfelt wishes of great happiness to the newly weds.

Also over Facebook, Tererê announced that in September he will be accepting invitations to do seminars in Brazil.

It was a splendid party or, better yet, seminar that Fernando Tererê had in Bauru, São Paulo state, last Saturday.

With around 40 participants in attendance, the over-three-hour class gathered members of a number of teams, like Gracie Barra, Nova União (Robson Moura), CheckMat and Black Belt Bauru.

Tererê took the opportunity to promote an old student of his, Jhonattan “Pé de Bolo”, adding further emotion to the seminar put together by Professor Fábio Marmontel.

To invite Tererê to hold a seminar, contact him via email: terereman2@hotmail.com.

Fernando Augusto "Tererê", three passions and a smile from one of the most beloved black belts in the sport / Photo: personal archive

There are at least three reasons for the captivating smile of Fernando Tererê, in a photo he posted on Facebook:

1) His career has taken a turn for the better. With a clear mind and kosher body, Tererê is ever more sought after to teach his technique, as he will do at a seminar in São Paulo this Saturday.

2) In his personal life, Tererê is in love. And the Alexandre “Gigi” Paiva black belt and his girlfriend will be moving to England, the land of Roger Gracie and the 2011 ADCC, and where Jiu-Jitsu is on the rise.

3) Notice how Tererê is sporting the jersey of his beloved team, Flamengo – the soccer club is undefeated in the Brazilian domestic championship and yesterday had a barnburner of a game against soccer star of the moment Neymar’s team Santos.

Or in a nutshell, as Tererê himself put it: “Lots of training, plenty affection, and going to bed early.” Indeed good reasons to smile. Might all that lead to a triumphant appearance from Tererê at the next European Championship, in 2012, or – who knows? – the ADCC coming up in September? Long live Tererê, long live Jiu-Jitsu!

On Saturday, 2003′s Jiu-Jitsu world champion will be teaching a seminar in the city of Bauru, São Paulo starting at 2pm.

The seminar will be held at the academy of Professor Fábio Marmontel. “It will be pretty much people here’s last chance to learn from him, as he’s about to move to Europe,” says Fábio.

For further information, Marmontel can be reached by phone (14) 9118-7591 or via email fabiomarmontel@hotmail.com.

Guilherme Mendes

The GRACIEMAG.com team is already in California, where all’s set for the World Pro tryouts in San Diego. The event organized by black belt Fernando Paradeda counts 560 participants and will yield all-expenses-paid trips to the April main event in Abu Dhabi for 13 of the competitors to take to the mats at Point Loma High School.

Among the athletes from the main academies in the USA are beats like Marcus Bochecha, Braga Neto, Ricardo Demente, João Assis, Bruno Bastos, Rhalan Gracie, Claudio Calasans, André Galvão, Clark Gracie, Lucas Leite, Gilbert Durinho, Baret Yoshida, Ryan Hall, Bruno Frazatto, Guilherme Mendes, Penny Thomas and Emily Wetzel, among numerous others.

Stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com for complete coverage.

Check out the list of those signed up in the main divisions, below:

BROWN/BLACK BELT ADULT MALE (74) (6-min. matches)

Brown/Black Belt -143 lbs (15)

Michael Strangis (Sandro Batata Bjj)

Daniel Elias (Crispim Bjj)

Derrick Easterling (Team Silva Bjj)

Danny Alvarez (Nova Uniao)

Flavio Meier (American Top Team)

Milton Nascimento (Paragon Bjj)

Eduardo Ramos Da Silva (Atos Bjj)

Baret Yoshida (Undisputed)

Michael Cusi (Stronghold/ATOS)

Jordan Collins (Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy)

Ryan Hall (Fifty/50)

Chris Westfall (Nova Uniao)

Bruno Frazatto (Atos)

Guilherme Mendes (Atos Bjj)

Samir Chantre (Gracie Fighter)

Brown/Black Belt -163 lbs (20)

James Guyton (Checkmat)

David Farias (Jcbjj)

Santino Defranco (Southwest Mma)

Nathan Mendelsohn (Clube Barra)

David Brown (Roots Bjj Miami)

Mike Gomez (Drysdale)

Yukito Isoda (Check Mat)

Steven Rosenberg (Nova Uniao)

Rodrigo Benedito Caporal (Atos Bjj)

Marcos Torregrosa (Yemaso Bjj)

Daniel Aguiar (Constrictor Team)

Rodrigo Faria (Check Mat)

David Agajanian (Clube De Jiu-Jitsu Pitbull)

Romulo Melo (Gracie Tijuca)

Christopher Story (Nova Uniao)

Alfredo Barum (Bjj Revolution)

Rodrigo Freitas (Gracie Barra)

Gilbert Burns (Atos Jj)

Jonatas Gurgel (Atos)

Gabriel Pontes (Check Mat)

Brown/Black Belt -183 lbs (18)

Brandon Magana (Clark Gracie Jiu Jitsu)

Juan Pablo Garcia (Gracie Barra Team Crane)

Moses Baca (Graciefighter)

Beneil Dariush (Ralph Gracie Oc)

Rhalan Gracie (Relson Gracie)

Olusegun Williams (Charles Gracie – San Francisco)

Alberto Juarez (Rbbjj Barra Brothers)

Claudio Calasans (Atos)

Andre Galvao (Atos Jj)

Nathan Drona (10Th Planet Jiu Jitsu)

Diego Gamonal Nogueira (Brazilian Top Team)

Lucas Leite (Check Mat)

Luis Gustavo (Check Mat)

Raphael Carrao (Street Sports Bjj)

Bruno Antunes (Gracie Barra)

Brad Sandoval (Brad Sanoval)

Jared Nathanson (Academy Of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)

Clark Gracie (Bjj Revolution)

Brown/Black Belt -202 lbs (9)

Eliot Kelly (Cia Paulista Sacramento)

Jj Holmes (Alliance)

Alexander Stuart (Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy In Torrance)

Paul Silva (Bjj Revolution)

Marco Sharpei (Drysdale Academy)

Marcel Louzado (Checkmat)

Mateus Castaldini (Minotauro Team)

Vitor Toledo (Atos)

Kevin Casey (Casey)

Brown/Black Belt +202 lbs (12)

John Hansen (Sucuri Jiu Jitsu)

Mario Barbosa (Checkmat La Habra)

Adam Provence (Checkmat)

Raymond Seraile (Kong Submission Academy)

Fabiano Scherner (Team Quest/Ataque Duplo)

Bruno Bastos (Nova Uniao)

Joao Assis (Wct)

Marcus Almeida (Checkmat/Armory)

Fabiano Silva (Carlson Gracie Team)

Ricardo Barros (Ricardo Barros Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)

Antonio Neto (Ralph Gracie)

Jarrod Bunch (Werdum Combat Team)

PURPLE/BROWN/BLACK ADULT FEMALE (10) (5-min matches)

Purple/Brown/Black Belt -128 lbs (5)

Amanda Grummon (Gracie Barra America)

Kristina Barlaan (Nova Unio)

Samantha Faulhaber (Gracie Humaita)

Kiri Liao (Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu)

Angelica Vieira Ferreira (Atos)

Purple/Brown/Black Belt -139 lbs (2)

Kelly Nakagawa (Gracie Barra Chino)

Charlene Coats (Raul Castillo Martial Arts)

Purple/Brown/Black Belt -150 lbs (1)

Nicole Leite (Rickson Gracie Academy)

Purple/Brown/Black Belt +150 lbs (2)

Emily Wetzel (Revolution Bjj)

Penny Thomas (Gracie Humaita)

Tererê had won the middleweight division in grand style. At medium heavyweight, Jacaré did no differently.

After overcoming some true juggernaut’s in the open weight class, the two were face to face in the final.

Find out what they said before and after the match and watch it in its entirety.

Head to the Blog now and relive the excitement.

And don’t forget to sign up.

E não se esqueça de se inscrever!

Photos: personal archive

During one of the worst phases in his battle with drug addiction, Fernando Tererê weighed as little as 65 kg (145 lbs). The fighter has recovered quickly with his dedication to training and physical conditioning.

After five months in rehab, he put it in his head that only sport could save him and was invited to train at Alliance, under the watchful eyes of Alexandre Paiva and Fabio Gurgel. After two months training in Rio de Janeiro, Tererê was sought out by his former student Pedro Bessa and his girlfriend to spend some time outside of Brazil. The two spoke with the fighter’s family, said it would be an excellent opportunity to learn English and get to know other cultures. The black belt then set off for countries like England, Poland, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Portugal, and Italy.

“I didn’t expect things to happen so quickly but, on the other hand, it’s a blessing for my parents, who nearly watched me die, and for my true friends. Now I have good people around me, I’m training, and I even learning a bit of English,” he tells GRACIEMAG.com.

Tererê is living in Torquay, England's surf haven.

“It’s a lot better than being shirtless on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, wearing flip-flops crumbling to pieces (laughs)! Now I’m training, living with my girlfriend in Torquay (England), where I don’t plan on opening an academy, but I’m teaching what I now in private classes and visiting academies,” he says in closing.

Tererê and Michael Langhi.

Cover of GRACIE 154, Carlos was already flying in the gentle art's early days.

Are you big on acrobatic finishes, awe-inspiring moves, sophisticated techniques, and a little razzle-dazzle? If the answer is “affirmative,” this is the video for you!

Check it out:

Enjoying a twenty-day stay in Italy, put up at a cozy home and training with some local beasts, Fernando Tererê is already dreaming of his return to top-flight competition.

“I’ve been heavily criticized, so the news I’m sending in is really important for me recovering a good image,” vents Tererê. “Now I intend to dedicate myself more and be more focused on training and the goings-on in sport Jiu-Jitsu, since after so long away, things have changed a lot. That’s where I’m training quietly, doing my physical conditioning work to – who knows? – be able to cope at middleweight, along with Sergio (Moraes) and Marcelo (Garcia).

Fernando has been training with brothers Fabio and Luca Anacoreta and their physical conditioning coach Micro. Moreover, he is celebrating having come up with a new sponsor, a European brand of gis.

“We going over details and positions, since the kids are already good and have been standing out around here, thanks to “ET”, their black belt teacher,” he says in praise.

Tererê is getting ready to hold three seminars in the country, two in Rome and one in Florence.

Photo: Publicity.

“It was ten days of pure training, with Pez￣o and another student of mine, Thomas Oyarzun, a purple belt who has been standing out in competitions around here,” says Tererê.

Tererê (in blue and black gi) in Switzerland. The Gigi Paiva will now spend at least twenty days in Italy. Photo: Publicity.

“We trained a lot and I made the most of the opportunity to teach some private lessons to a group of friends. Pezão is doing great and now he wants to try for a career in the USA,” he remarks.

This Monday Tererê heads for Italy to teach a series of seminars with his friend Luca Anacoreta, a purple belt.

“I’m going to teach private classes to him and some friends to get my beasts even sharper for the big European Open in January,” he states.

Tererê will be in Rome at a four star hotel for twenty days. For the now, his dream of competing at the Euro Open still exists.

“For someone who has been away from Jiu-Jitsu for six years like me, I feel it’s all been great. I’m getting my body moving slowly and improving my base. I still haven’t had time to just train and dedicate myself more, but soon I believe I’ll be invited by friends who want me around to just train and prepare. Then I’ll be stronger and happy to compete,” he explains.