It's a July morning in 2008. The old Gracie academy on Rio Branco Avenue, in downtown Rio, Helio Gracie is wearing his gi, eyes fixed on his adversary.
After studying each other and trading grips, Helio Gracie sinks his hands into his Japanese rival's gi. That is when Kato, a grand champion of judo in his country, leaves the crowd aghast by throwing the master in spectacular fashion, causing Helio to land with his back against the ropes. Helio grows after the throw and, with a counter-attack, takes the Japanese champion down landing on top. If it hadn't been Jiu-Jitsu, it would have been an ippon.
"That one from Kato is one of the most sensational I have seen in my life," remarks Alvaro Barreto standing before the plasma screen one of the big attractions of the historic exposition "Homenagens" ("Homages"), open to the public from Monday to Friday, from 1pm to 5pm on the 17th floor on 151 Rio Branco. Among youths, of both genders, and experienced masters who have gone to catch a glimpse of the both rich and rare material, it is easy to see notable figueres from Jiu-Jitsu, many of them not hiding their tears when gazing upon sensational images, many of which did not fit into Reila Gracie's new book, "Carlos Gracie - Creator of a Dynasty."
"This exposition was put on by the Carlos Gracie Sporting and Cultural Association in homage to the patriarch and the fighters of the Gracie clan," explains curator Reila, in the text emblazened at the entrance of the former academy, now a cozy atelier, ending with: "The occasion chosen for this event, coinciding with the release of a book authored by myself, is meant to make public the path of obstacles and overcoming of an obstinate man and fully conscious of the work he had since his youth dreamed of fulfilling. That is how he did it."
