Brizilian Jiu-Jitsu

Introduction to the Art of Brizilian Jiu-Jitsu. The history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) goes back through the Gracie family to their original teacher, Mitsuyo Maeda (Conde Coma) and his training in the Kodokan, the home of Judo. 

In 1914 Esai Maeda, a Japanese politician, arrived in Brazil to establish a Japanese immigration colony. Esai Maeda, known as count Koma, was a world renowned Jiu-Jitsu Master. In order to accomplish his mission, Count Koma befriended, Gastao Gracie, a successful businessman who had strong political ties. Gastao assisted Count Koma in obtaining his objectives, and in return of this kindness, Count Koma taught Jiu-Jitsu to Carlos, Gastao's oldest son. Carlos studied Jiu-Jitsu for several years and eventually taught the art to his younger brother, Oswaldo, Gastao and George.

Carlos then decided to open the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Carlos Gracie was small in stature as were others in the family, so they went to refine the Jiu-Jitsu Carlos taught so that anyone of any size could use the techniques.

Carlos also brought in the "Gracie Challenge". This was where anyone could come and test their skills against Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. After Carlos's brother "Helio" who was the current representative of the family lost to a former student named Waldemar Santana the family looked towards Carlos's eldest son Carlson Gracie. 

Carlson Gracie (17yrs old, 72kg) fought Waldemar Santana (94kg). This was Carlson Gracie's first professional Vale Tudo fight. Carlson avenged Prof. Helio's loss to Santana. Carlson went on to fight 19 professional matches and remained undefeated. Carlson reigned as world champion for 30 years in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

At age 20 riding on his new found fame Carlson Gracie opened his own academy. At that time there were only 2 academies in Brazil under the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Team- the original Gracie academy in the city and Carlson's in Copacabana.

In early 1990s, when competition Jiu-Jitsu was starting to become popular in Rio, a new team was founded, joining the two zones of the city.

Carlson Gracie's pupil Andre Pederneiras (a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and Judo) had a strong team in Botofogo, in the South of Rio de Janeiro. To expand , he looked for new members for his team in the north area of the city.

At this time, the North Zone was considered technically inferior in Jiu-Jitsu and Andre aimed to help the area as part of his quest. Meaning "New Union", the Nova União Jiu-Jitsu Academy was founded in Rio de Janeiro in 1995 when the Mello Tenis Clude Jiu-Jitsu, headed by Wendell Alexander, joined with Andre's team. Wedall was a black belt form Sebastião Ricardo, who in turn waqs a student of the Master Oswaldo Fadda, one of the few people to train in Brazil under Sensei Maeda of Japan.               

Within a few short years the team had a production line of local (state), national (Brazilian) and world champions which culminated in the team winning the Team Division at the 1997 World Championship. Coach Boylan achieved his Black Belt under Nova Uniao representative in Australia Coach John Donehue.

Coach Justin Boylan began his martial arts journey in 1980 and his BJJ journey in 1992. Coach Boylan was also the 1989 State Wrestling Champion and a bronze medallist at the 1990 Australian Wrestling Championship. In 1998 he began training under Coach Donehue who had returned to Australia after living and training full time in the USA for 10 years.

During this time Coach Donehue had achieved Black Belt in Judo and Professional Wrestling Finishing holds from Legendary Master Gene Lebell and a Black Belt in BJJ from Jiu-Jitsu Legend Rigan Machado. He is the only Australian to live and train full time in USA and achieve his Black Belt in these Arts. Coach Donehue had also been the submission coach at the RAW team where legendary MMA fighter Randy Couture and Dan Henderson were training and preparing for their UFC and Pride Fights.

This gave Coach Donehue the opportunity to train with the Head Coach at the RAW Team, Rico Chiapparelli. Rico is one of the finest wrestler ever produced in the USA  and a product of legendary coach, competior and Olympic Gold Medallist Dan Gable.

This combination of Wrestling, Judo, BJJ  and Pro Wrestling Finishing holds makes Coach Donehue a truly a unique Martial Artist and the reason Coach Boylan chose his as a grappling coach. This decision has proven to be a wise one with Coach Boylan achieving the following milestone in the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:

Coach of the West Australian Champion Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team in 2004. Coach of 2005 World Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Champion Grayson West. State Director of the Australian Federation of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Western Australia from 2006 to 2015. World Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Champion in 2007 

Your decision to train at School of Freestyle Martial Arts - Sliverback (Tap or Snap) under Glen Phillips and Coach Justin Boylan will ensure that you will receive world class instruction and technique in the Art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.