9 years after the death of the great master Carlson Gracie, who built the legendary Jiu-Jitsu and MMA team, the Carlson Gracie academy, on the third floor of the Figueiredo Magalhães street, number 414, is to close its doors. The school founded by Carlson in the 70’a and which helped take hundreds and hundreds of boys from poverty and off the street to give them a second chance in life through Jiu-Jitsu.

The widow of the master, Marly Gracie, is in poor health, and no longer feels able to manage the gym, considered a true temple for many students and Carlson Gracie fans, who died in 2006. It was there, that Rolls Gracie also taught his students before his death in 1982.

The owner of the space, Ze Paulo, who was a student and friend of Carlson and kept the rent to 2000 Reais/month accepted the proposal of a church to rent the space for 7,000 Reais.

Coach Ari Galo who teaches at the Carlson Gracie Academy had this to say on his Facebook:

Sadly it is true what is going on with Carlson Gracie Academy … We are closing.
I have been in the gym since I was 8 years old, I started having direct classes with Master Carlson Gracie then with teachers Marcelo Alonso and Carlson Gracie Jr. … With Junior and Marcelo Alonso (in 1996) moving to America, I assumed the responsibility of continuing the work WITH SWEAT AND TEARS of  making WORLD and BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONS …
This was a huge Responsibility for me who was only 21 years back to hold an ACADEMY (TEAM) of this size being just a  purple belt …
THANK YOU MASTER CARLSON GRACIE, Dona Marly Gracie, Carlson Gracie Jr. and Marcelo Alonso …

I am crying so much now but it’s not sadness NOT because I got everything I have today because of the teachings of these Wonderful people who have been in my life …
Today I lack NOTHING …
I have students in my teaching I have affiliates in Europe, America, Uruguay, and Brazil …
HAVE MY ACADEMY AND MY STUDENTS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD …
THANK YOU AND I AM VERY SAD …
I CRY WITHOUT ANY SHAME And I will CONTINUE WORK TO DEATH IN HONOR TO THIS NAME THAT IS irreplaceable
CARLSON GRACIE … ETERNAL TO ME …
OSS !!!

The last major training at the dojo which formed so many champions will be on  August 25 at 7pm.