Historic Carlson Gracie Academy to reopen in Copacabana

Turns out the goodbye was only a so long.

After a farewell ceremony with the presence of Carlson Gracie Jr., last August, the historic Carlson Gracie Academy, in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, will reopen in the very same location it’s been since the 70s.

Thanks to a group of black belts, a new rent agreement was made and the Jiu-Jitsu school will stay where it is.

Black belt Marcelo Saporito, one of Carlson Gracie’s most loyal pupils, explains what happened: “After the first impact when we heard the school was going to close down, fear and sadness turned into effort and attitude. We made an offer to the landlord and kicked off the project. We waited on the answer until last October 13, when we finally heard that we got the lease.”

Saporito was accompanied in this effort by fellow black belts André Gaudio, Leandro Boueri and Paulo Levi. The reopening of the school is set for November, but classes are going on as construction work is performed.

“It’s only the beginning. We want to build a strong team. We want people to know that the Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Club is still standing. It will stand as long as there’s people who share our dreams,” summed up Saporito.

Also according to Saporito, the return has the total support of Carlson Gracie’s widow, Marly Gracie, and his son, Carlson Gracie Jr.