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A short story about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) originated in the early 20th century when Japanese judoka Mitsuyo Maeda taught his grappling techniques to Carlos Gracie in Brazil. Carlos and his brother Hélio Gracie adapted these techniques, emphasizing leverage and ground control, creating a system that allowed smaller individuals to overcome larger opponents. Over time, the Gracie family developed their own style, which became known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The art gained international recognition through challenge matches and later through its dominant presence in the early Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events, where BJJ proved its effectiveness against other martial arts.
Throughout this evolution, influential masters emerged who helped shape the technical and philosophical foundations of the art — among them, the respected Master Fada, a key figure in the development of athletes and instructors. He is part of the lineage of the renowned Master Júlio Cesar Pereira, founder and Head Coach of GFTeam, one of the largest and most respected competitive Jiu-Jitsu teams in the world.
Today, BJJ is practiced across the globe and is celebrated not only for its technical depth but also for its philosophy of discipline, resilience, and personal growth.
About CANAL BROTHERS
Canal Brothers was founded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — the birthplace of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — by brothers and instructors Theodoro Canal and Leopoldo Canal, both 5th-degree black belts certified by the world-renowned Master Júlio Cesar Pereira, Head Coach of GFTeam, one of the most prestigious and competitive BJJ teams in the world.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a martial art — it’s a philosophy of life that promotes balance, camaraderie, resilience, and self-control. Recognizing these values, the founders of CANAL BROTHERS created a unique teaching method that blends technical excellence with personal development, offering students a transformative experience both on and off the mats.
Without abandoning its roots in GFTeam, CANAL BROTHERS brought its excellence-driven methodology to the United States, establishing its first academy in Cypress, Houston – Texas. The unit is led by Head Coaches Leopoldo Canal and Igor Silva, both 5th-degree black belts certified by Master Júlio Cesar Pereira, Head Coach of GFTeam.