Charlie Chaplin was one of the greatest geniuses of the twentieth century. He had 24 grandchildren. One of his grandchildren is a distinguished BJJ black belt who lives and teaches in Lausanne, Switzerland. Tracy Chaplin, is the son of Michael, Charlie Chaplin’s eldest son from his marriage to Oona O’neill.
Tracy, born in 1980, is a first degree BJJ blackbelt under Robin Gracie and was the IBJJF European Champion in 2005 (in purple belt division).
His grandfather Charlie Chaplin often fought in his films. Systematically faced with stronger opponents but less smart than him, Chaplin always came out on top, thanks to his wit.
Charlie Chaplin
Tracy Chaplin learned about martial arts from a young age: “I was raised in a samurai spirit. Michael, my father and second eldest of the Chaplin siblings, told me every night a Zen story. We lived on a farm in South West France, with chickens and goats. I also practiced yoga and meditation with my father. I immediately liked BJJ. ”
As a teen, he started training between four and six hours daily. At this rate, the young man was eager to progress further, so he headed to Barcelona in 1999 to train with Robin Gracie. He quickly became champion of Spain in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and shined at the IBJJF European Championships, which he won in 2005 at purple belt middle weight.
About carrying the name Chaplin: “To be called Chaplin, is sometimes a little hard to bear, especially in Switzerland. I am often asked if I am part of the “family.” And it happens that some traders try to make me pay more. It is “the Chaplin price” he says. Before conceding, after a short pause: “To think about it, I’d rather have taken my mother’s last name.”
Tracy, was born in March 1980, and never met his grandfather Charlie, who died on the night of Christmas 1977 in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland. Brother of actresses Dolores and Carmen Chaplin, he admires the work of his famous grandfather, but does not make a fuss about it: “My grandfather acted, directed, was doing his own stunts and wrote the music for his films: he was very versatile and, as such, I admire him like any movie buff. He was one of the greatest directors who ever existed. But not the greatest. ”
A lover of classical music and father of a little Helio, Tracy teaches Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Lausanne and, more recently, in Vevey. “Because I want to convey what I have learned.”
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