‘Prince of Jiu Jitsu’ Visits Council
On November 6th, 2024, Adams County and the Council Jiu Jitsu Academy were visited by a legend in the world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Master Carlson Gracie Jr. Known in the BJJ world as the “Prince of Jiu Jitsu,” Carson Gracie Jr, is the grandson of Carlos Gracie, who is credited with helping to develop the sport, and the only son of BJJ Grandmaster Carson Gracie Senior. Born in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, but currently residing in Chicago, Illinois, Carlson Gracie Jr. started studying Jiu Jitsu at the age of three, and is currently a coral belt, which is above a black belt. He is the head of the Carlson Gracie Association, as well as the lead coach of the Carlson Gracie Academy, which is why he was visiting Council.
When current Council resident Anna Cook moved to the United State after living in Dubai, she knew she wanted to start an academy, as well as needed to find a local coach to continue her own training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Her professor in Dubai knew Master Carlson Gracie Jr, who was his own master, and was able to connect him with Cook. In order to compete, it is necessary to be affiliated with an academy that is registered with the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). Since Cook is not yet a black belt herself, she was not yet authorized to start her own academy, and needed to be under the affiliation of another academy. The Carlson Gracie Academy, which has affiliates all over the world, was happy to sponsor her. “You know how great this guy is,” Anna Cook said, while explaining how she started under Gracie, “He did not ask me for royalties.” Usually schools pay monthly fees to be affiliated with Carlson Gracie Academy, however after hearing about the small community in Council where Cook was planning to start a school, Gracie Jr. did not ask for any monetary compensation. Anna Cook was especially pleased to have this available for the children in Council. “Your professor, your lineage, is Carlson Gracie,” she said, “it gives you legitimacy.” Council Jiu Jitsu Academy is the only Carlson Gracie affiliated academy in Idaho.
On November 5th, Master Carlson Gracie Jr. gave a seminar to both the adults and children of the Council Jiu Jitsu Academy. Again, this seminar he offered free of charge to the students in Council, usually costing over $150 per person. Anna Cook said that Gracie enjoyed the Idaho experience as well. “I told him, you know Professor, we don’t have a fancy academy, but these kids are gifted.” said Cook, “these kids are farm kids, their conditioning is different.” She said that Gracie agreed. “And he was starting to look at the children during training and he was telling me, ‘absolutely right, very different.” After the seminar, the students who had earned their next belt or stripe were promoted by Master Carlson Gracie Jr. himself. Several children were promoted to gray/white belt and one adult to blue belt.
Carlson Gracie Jr. goes around every year to visit his affiliated academies. He will be back again next year to evaluate and promote students in Council again. Coach Anna Cook with the Council Jujitsu Academy is so happy to have this opportunity for the children. “It’s a hard sport, I’m not gonna lie,” she said, but the reward and opportunities are endless. “I want to open doors for them in the future.”
