Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles is a two-time Jiu-Jitsu world champion in the gi, world champion without the gi and, even so, can still be found disputing local and regional championships in Atlanta, Georgia, where he lives. The Alliance star is one of the examples to illustrate the GRACIEMAG 135 cover story. We went to find out how Jiu-Jitsu champions work their body and mind to keep their motivation at an optimal level and, thus, keep themselves physically and technically at the top of the sport.
From time to time, it’s good to hear what a legend of the sport has to say. That’s exactly what we did in Face to Face. Royler Gracie, the most determined little guy in the history of the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship. He talks of his childhood, his competitive beginnings, his father Helio, and how Jiu-Jitsu still surprises him. The five-time world champion has a lot to say and we all have a lot to learn from him.
Eduardo Telles is no ordinary fighter. That is made clear right off the bat when a fight he is participating in begins. Lots of people are taken a back when the Fabio Gurgel fighter sinks his grips and plunks himself down on the mat. And when his adversary goes after him, he goes to all fours and, seemingly, offers his back. But that is all just bait for a slew of traps the 2007 Pan-American champion has come up with. GRACIEMAG went to Telles’s academy, in São Paulo, to unveil some of the secrets of the famous turtle-guard.
GRACIE Magazine Association member Rafael “Foquinha” is a master of the guard too. You could say the Gracie Barra San Diego instructor’s specialty is the hook guard with his hands on the collar. Throughout the seven days of our Training Program, Foquinha teaches the traps the position has to offer.
In the GRACIE Magazine Association section, we scour the globe in search of championships put on by our members. From the gigantic Renzo Gracie Invitational, with nearly 500 athletes, we then checked out Robin Gracie’s Copa de España. After stopping off in Long Island, for Eloy Santos and Milton Regis’s Pride; we then land in Holland and Canada. All these organizers talk of the importance of local events for Jiu-Jitsu’s development.
In the Performance section, Martin Rooney teaches how to workout so as to stretch people’s arms out left and right, and never let go. In Agenda; Right and Wrong with Saulo Ribeiro; Rickson Gracie’s close call with a 1980’s Brazilian jalopy; GMA’s Aparecido Bill giving pointers on how to spread Jiu-Jitsu to laymen; and the novelty of the Art Gallery. Give the issue a read to find out what it is.
In Lesson in Print, we catch up with Givanildo Santana in the gym, where he teaches his frightful armbar. In the Opinion column, Jonny Machado rolls out the red carpet for Jiu-Jitsu.
Point of View
Gracie Diet
Enjoy your reading and see you next month.
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