Paulo Strauch
Paulo Strauch’s Copacabana school linked children’s classes, precise technique and the development of future teachers.
Biography
Sources for this profile
BJJ Heroes, Paulo Mauricio Strauch(opens in a new tab)
BJJ Heroes identifies the Copacabana teacher as Paulo Mauricio Strauch, a student of Reylson Gracie.
Where in the source: Full name, lineage and biography
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The biography gives his birth date as 25 March 1952 in Rio de Janeiro.
Where in the source: Biography opening
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BJJ Heroes dates his first encounter with Reylson’s classes to 1968 and his own training to 1975.
Where in the source: Biography opening
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It describes a teaching-focused path: assisting classes from 1979 and receiving all his belts, including black belt, from Reylson.
Where in the source: Biography second paragraph
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BJJ Heroes dates his independent academy to 1984 on Djalma Ulrich, followed by moves to Barão de Ipanema and Nossa Senhora de Copacabana.
Where in the source: Biography third paragraph
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BJJ Heroes dates his ninth-degree red belt to 2012.
Where in the source: Biography final paragraph
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The named academy is Jiu Jitsu Strauch in Copacabana.
Where in the source: Team/Association and school history
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Roberto Pedreira, Training in Rio 2007, August–September 2007(opens in a new tab)
In his 2007 conversation with Roberto Pedreira, Strauch named Reylson Gracie as his first teacher.
Where in the source: Paulo Mauricio Strauch Jiu-Jitsu, paragraph beginning Since Strauch
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He explained that the school’s woodpecker emblem appealed to children.
Where in the source: Strauch section, logo paragraph
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Pedreira described a children’s program emphasizing social skills and habits that could support later training, rather than concentrating on submissions.
Where in the source: Strauch section, children after logo
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Strauch presented jiu-jitsu as part of maintaining an active, healthy life, beyond immediate self-defense.
Where in the source: Strauch section, opening conversation
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He supported moving the World Championship to California in 2007 because he wanted jiu-jitsu to become genuinely international.
Where in the source: Strauch section, Mundials question
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The school offered boxing, kickboxing, aikido and hapkido alongside jiu-jitsu, using otherwise quiet afternoon hours.
Where in the source: Strauch section, academy operations
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Pedreira reported that Strauch practiced judo but left its teaching to his friend Valladares.
Where in the source: Strauch section, paragraph beginning Strauch is also a judo man
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Strauch worried that competition-focused groundwork was pushing standing skills and self-defense out of jiu-jitsu.
Where in the source: Strauch section, concluding paragraphs
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Mike Stidham, On the Mat With Mauricio Strauch, 27 October 2017(opens in a new tab)
Mike Stidham visited Strauch’s Rio academy with a group of 35 from Caio Terra’s camp in 2017.
Where in the source: Opening account, group arrival
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He recalled Strauch greeting visitors with playful foot sweeps, easing the group’s nervousness.
Where in the source: Paragraphs on handshake and greeting
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Stidham observed a basketball game in which scoring allowed a student to choose someone to demonstrate a technique.
Where in the source: Private lesson arrival, class in progress
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The visitor described a playful teacher who nevertheless insisted on precise execution and corrected small errors.
Where in the source: Paragraphs after initial welcome
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Strauch moved directly from the group class to private lessons, first with Stidham and then another pair of visitors.
Where in the source: Class ending and private sessions
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After their private lesson, Strauch urged Stidham to stop fixating on one detail and take in the wider situation.
Where in the source: Opening advice and final reflection
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Stidham identifies Strauch as a ninth-degree red belt.
Where in the source: Title and repeated identification
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João Paulo Oliveira, Currículo Esportivo(opens in a new tab)
João Paulo Oliveira’s own sporting CV identifies his teacher Strauch as a ninth-degree red belt.
Where in the source: Treinamento Esportivo, Professor Responsável
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Oliveira’s CV names Strauch as his teacher and describes passing on that knowledge through competition coaching and children’s and adult classes.
Where in the source: Teacher, teaching locations and Objetivos
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Gabriel Almada, Rodrigo Thiago interview, 24 November 2022(opens in a new tab)
Rodrigo Thiago recalled beginning at Strauch’s Djalma Urich school aged ten, returning at seventeen, and staying until moving to Gigi Paiva as a purple belt at twenty-three.
Where in the source: First interview answer
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Vinícius Nader, Marcelo Menezes interview, 30 April 2021(opens in a new tab)
Actor Marcelo Menezes credited Strauch with teaching him character and discipline, describing their relationship in paternal terms.
Where in the source: Interview answer about physical fitness and introduction
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RMA Jiu Jitsu, Professor Marcelo Ribeiro(opens in a new tab)
Marcelo Ribeiro’s academy places Strauch directly before Ribeiro in its lineage and names him among Ribeiro’s teachers in Brazil.
Where in the source: Rank & Lineage and The Story
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Matt Little, Caio Terra interview, 26 September 2011; author republication 18 June 2012(opens in a new tab)
Matt Little’s 2011 interview introduction identifies Strauch and Reyson Gracie as the teachers who awarded Caio Terra his black belt in 2006.
Where in the source: Biographical introduction
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João Paulo Jones, IV Copa Strauch invitation, December 2011(opens in a new tab)
The fourth Copa Strauch invitation names Strauch as supervisor, with João Paulo Oliveira and Ricardo Néri organizing.
Where in the source: Supervisão and organização block
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It advertised bouts matched by weight, age and belt under CBJJ rules, with medals for all participants.
Where in the source: Invitation categories, awards and rules
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BJJ Camp Finder, No Flag Jiu-Jitsu, April 2024 listing(opens in a new tab)
The No Flag listing advertised Strauch as instructor for a Rio de Janeiro camp scheduled for 8–12 April 2024.
Where in the source: Dates, location and instructors
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