"Jiu-Jitsu is first and foremost an art of combat, all the improvements that I made were with the goal of maintaining that objective."  said the Grandmaster.

In October, Helio Gracie celebrated his 95th birthday at the Gracie Academy, in Rio de Janeiro.

In one of his most famous interviews, published in the special 100th issue of GRACIEMAG, the professor had declared: “I’ve already told my sons that when I die I want there to be a party. No drinking, no debauchery.”

All the professors at the Valente's Gracie Academy of Miami feel extremely honored and privileged to have had the opportunity of learning the Helio Gracie way of life directly from him.
 
In his final years, the father of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu often spoke of his satisfaction with his life’s work. He openly stated that he had accomplished everything he had set out to do, displaying his preparedness for the transition into the afterlife.

The Grand Master believed that such a transition should be seen as a positive step in one's spiritual evolution. In a recent interview he declared: “I’ve already told my sons that when I die I want there to be a party. No drinking, no debauchery.”

To honor his request and his legacy, the Valente's Gracie Academy will host a celebratory gathering/slideshow presentation on Saturday, February 7, 2009 @ 5:00pm. All Jiu-Jitsu practitioners and family members are welcome to attend. Students should wear a white kimono.