RELSON GRACIE

Helio Gracie

Ninth Degree Red Belt

Grandmaster Relson Gracie is the second oldest son of Grandmaster Helio Gracie and considered to be the Shark of the original Gracie brother clan: the shark because of his reputation as one of the main siblings (including Rickson Gracie and Royce Gracie) who demonstrated the effectiveness of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu both in competition and on the mean streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Relson started his Jiu-Jitsu life at the age of 2 and entered his first competition at age of 10. He continued on to be the Brazilian National Champion for 22 years straight - going undefeated in both his weight and open weight divisions. He became so popular among his friends and fans that he attained the nickname "Campeao" which means "Champion." Since retiring from competition and moving to Hawaii in 1988, Relson has produced some of the World's finest competitors and instructors. Relson Gracie is revered and loved by everyone he comes into contact with and continues to live a life dedicated to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Relson travels to the mainland often, yet, while in Hawaii, he can be found performing seminars at his local associations - including the RSA (instructing upper rank and general student courses). On April 6, 2013 Relson was awarded the final rank of 9th Degree Red Belt "Grandmaster" (the highest rank possible in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu that requires 40 years of Black Belt and Red-Black Belt activity). He is the only Grandmaster in the State of Hawaii and one of just a handful around the World. However, the single most impressive factor in Relson's history is again, he is a direct descendant of the "Genius" behind the art known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), Relson's father, Helio Gracie.

I have had the priceless opportunity to learn Jiu-Jitsu straight from Relson Gracie, spending countless hours on the mats studying and practicing his system. I am unable to express how grateful I am to him and the genius of the Gracie family.

During the last two decades of teaching Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, a question is posed from time to time asking if we teach "street Jiu-Jitsu" or "tournament Jiu-Jitsu."

The answer:
RSA strives to perpetuate the Gracie Family system of self-defense, specifically, the method of Relson Gracie. Relson was known by all as an able street fighter that defended the family’s name in Brazil. He also retired undefeated in tournaments for 22 years. The answer is simply, we teach both.

​Ronn Shiraki