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Charles Gracie

Charles Gracie founded the Charles Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy Network and directly taught Cristiano Xavier.

Biography

Charles Gracie began training at five. The son of Robson Gracie, he founded the Charles Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy Network; local recognition in 2023 also noted his eighth-degree coral belt. The academy’s current locations page lists sites in Northern California and Magnolia, Texas, as well as affiliated academies. It describes Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes for all ages and names self-defense, confidence, respect, and physical and mental wellness among their stated aims. Its FAQ offers the academy’s own account of Gracie as a former student of Rolls Gracie and presents fundamentals and self-defense as central to its teaching. Cristiano Xavier offers a concrete view of that teaching. Xavier’s academy biography identifies him as trained directly by Gracie: he began in a class Gracie taught, became head instructor at the Charles Gracie San Francisco Academy in 2008, and opened Charles Gracie San Mateo in 2011. His path from a first class with Gracie to academy leadership provides a documented example of teaching within the Charles Gracie academy network.

Sources for this profile

  • Escalon Times, “County Board Recognizes Grand Master Charles Gracie,” 2023.(opens in a new tab)

    • A 2023 report on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors' recognition says Charles Gracie began training at age five, is a son of Robson Gracie, founded the Charles Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy Network, and received an eighth-degree coral belt on 14 March 2023.

      Where in the source: “County Board Recognizes Grand Master Charles Gracie” — paragraphs beginning “At their meeting on Tuesday, May 23” and “Son of Robson Gracie”

      Accessed:

  • Charles Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, “Locations,” accessed 13 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • The Charles Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy locations page lists academy locations in Northern California and Magnolia, Texas, plus affiliated academies, and describes Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes for all ages with self-defense, confidence, respect, and physical and mental wellness among its stated aims.

      Where in the source: “Academy locations” — opening paragraph and the location lists

      Accessed:

  • Saiko Fitness and Martial Arts, “Cristiano Xavier,” accessed 13 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • Cristiano Xavier's academy biography identifies Xavier as an instructor trained directly by Charles Gracie. It says Xavier began jiu-jitsu with a class taught by Gracie, became head instructor at the Charles Gracie San Francisco Academy in 2008, and opened Charles Gracie San Mateo in 2011.

      Where in the source: “Cristiano Xavier” — paragraphs beginning “Cristiano Xavier is the Head Instructor” and “Cristiano came to America”

      Accessed:

  • Charles Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, “FAQs,” accessed 13 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • The Charles Gracie Academy's FAQ says Charles is Robson Gracie's oldest son, was a student of Rolls Gracie before Rolls's death, and emphasizes fundamental techniques and self-defense in its teaching approach.

      Where in the source: “What makes Charles Gracie so special?” and “What should I expect when I join?”

      Accessed:

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