Oswaldo Gracie

Oswaldo Gracie is one of the most important figures in modern day jiu jitsu, being one of the founding members of the first Gracie Jiu Jitsu academy in 1925. Oswaldo Gracie was taught the martial art style by his older brother Carlos Gracie, and together with his younger brothers Gastão, George and Helio, he fought and defended the name and of jiu jitsu in the 1920's and 1930's in several no-holds-barred (vale tudo) type events. Oswaldo Gracie was also the developer of the family's trade in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil, and may have helped the development of luta livre esportiva, another form of Brazilian grappling based on concepts of jiu jitsu and catch wrestling.