Armando Wridt

Armando Wridt is one of the 7 Masters that received their red belt from the hands of the late Grand Master Helio Gracie. One of the pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Armando Wridt defended the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu style in several grappling and Vale-Tudo events - also known as No Holds Barred, the sport that would later become mixed martial arts (MMA). Armando Wridt met Helio Gracie when he was 21 years old; he was in the military service and played Basketball for his regiment and had a friend in common with Helio. Through this mutual friend, Armando Wridt started visiting the Gracie farm regularly picking up Jiu-Jitsu training with the Gracie brothers. After Armando Wridt finished his obligatory military service time he turned to the Gracies for help and guidance, spending the following 8 years living and training at the Gracie Academy. Although competition was not in his nature, during this period he spent with the Gracies Wridt defended the academy on 3 occasions at Vale-Tudo (no-holds-barred) events in Rio de Janeiro. Armando was a true fan of "Mahatma" Gandhi, and he did not believe in violence, however, to please his masters he fought and finished all three fights with a quick submission. After spending 8 years living and breathing the Gracie way, Armando left the academy (with Helio's consent) and started teaching to personal bodyguards at the ESNI (Escola de Serviço Nacional de Informação). A few years later he retired and moved out to the outskirts of Brasilia, capital of Brazil, to live off the land in his own farm.