Celebrated chef and BJJ blue belt Anthony Bourdain has been found dead in a suicide by hanging on June 8, 2018, in his hotel room in Strasbourg, France. Bourdain was filming an episode of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.
Bourdain took up bjj when he was 58. Thanks to bjj he slimmed down 30lbs/14 kgs. He received a blue belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu in August 2015 and won gold at the IBJJF New York Spring International Open Championship 2016, in the Middleweight Master 5 (age 56 and older) division.
CNN first reported the news.
Rener Gracie had the chance to train with Bourdain backstage a UFC 175, and he recently released the never before seen footage together with a heartfelt tribute:
Four years ago, Anthony Bourdain was just beginning his jiu-jitsu journey and I had the privilege of working with him backstage at UFC 175. He was one nicest and most gracious people I have ever met. Over the next several years, he grew into one of BJJ’s biggest ambassadors. His enthusiasm was unmatched, and the fact that he began training later in his life inspired people everywhere to get off the couch and onto the mat. I always wished my grandfather could have met Anthony and seen how much he did to educate the world about jiu-jitsu – now he will have his chance. We lost one of the greatest of all time and he will be missed forever. Love and prayers for his family.
