Pure Gold – The Roger Gracie Highlight

With 10 Mundials gold medals at black belt weight and absolute, being the only person ever to submit all their opponents (8 of them) on the way to an ADCC victory, plus all of the other numerous tournament victories, it’s a hard – no, nearly impossible – argument to say that Roger isn’t the greatest Jiu Jitsu competitor of all time.

Grandson to Gracie Jiu Jitsu pioneer Carlos Gracie, Roger was brought up in the lifestyle like few were. Yet none of the flash and presumptuousness follows Roger, he was always softly spoken, but an absolute beast on the mats. His style befits his tall frame, slow and methodical, simple yet precise, and he is a walking billboard that the techniques and theories of basic angles and leverage that his grandfather and great uncle espoused are as relevant today as when they began preaching them.

We all know his roots, his lineage, his tutelage at the hands of his father and uncle Carlos Jr. These are the things that will be recorded in time for generations to look back upon and learn about their lineage. But I will always remember the most dominant Jiu Jitsu player I have ever seen for his flawless execution of the techniques that we all learned in our first two months on the mat. Keep it simple, and keep the gold flowing.