Rickson Gracie has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Japan dating back to the 1990s. As Gracie noted in his memoir, Breathe, he developed a deep connection with the country and its culture during his time competing there as a martial artist.
This bond, combined with certain aspects of Japanese pop culture, led to some unique television appearances. We asked Gracie to discuss an episode mentioned in his book. Here is a summary of the first half of his response:
“There was an interesting experience I had in Japan. When I was last there with Kron for one of his fights, I worked with an agent who tried to find me small jobs to stay active. On that particular trip, there was a show featuring a doctor called the ‘Pain Doctor’ who claimed to be able to apply pressure to pressure points on the foot that no one could withstand for more than a few seconds or thirty seconds at most.
“The program asked if I would be willing to undergo a test with the doctor to see how long I could last, and they offered to compensate me, which was needed at the time. So for the money and novelty, I agreed to participate. When I arrived at the hotel, the doctor was there—he was a shorter man with very thick arms and strong but short fingers. The producer explained that if I quit or the doctor made me quit, he would win, but if I could last thirty seconds, I would win.”
Gracie went on to describe his mental preparation, viewing it as an opportunity to test his ability to withstand pain and refuse to submit.
