Who we are

The story of our organization success in the U.S started in 1996 when Master Caique was invited to the U.S. by my Grand Master Helio Gracie.  At that time the UFC was booming and Helio’s son Rorion was the founder of the show. So Caique and Royce Gracie were the main instructors of their Torrance academy. We became very popular in the US and subsequently, all over the world due to the efficiency of our Martial Arts style of Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Master Caique was taught by Helio and Rickson Gracie and recognized by Grand Master Helio as the best student of his school. Master Rickson Gracie is the most accomplished jiu-jitsu fighter to ever live and retired undefeated with over 400 fights! Prof. Pedro and Thomaz Elias both credit their father’s teachings and push to their success in jiu-jitsu. They also had contact with G.M. Helio growing up and have been training with master Rickson for the last 6 years. They both worked with Master Rickson on his instructional series the Self-Defense Unit.

In a great location in Lomita, we grew and today our kids program became successful under Prof.Pedro Elias. We are helping parents to educate their kids and build their confidence.

Master Caique Elias

Carlos “Caique Elias first contact with jiu-jitsu was in 1972 at a Judo Academy located at Rua Toneleros in Copacabana, RJ. The Judo academy where he trained was in a shared building with the Carlson Gracie academy. Master Caique met Relson and Rickson Gracie in his teenage years surfing in Rio de Janeiro. Because the surf culture back then was pretty rough and fights happened often, Caique quickly saw the value of Jiu-Jitsu and began training Jiu-Jitsu at 16 years old in 1974. His hardwork quickly set him apart and Grand Master Helio Gracie named him the best student of his original academy. In 1996 Master Caique moved to the US invited by GM Helio to teach at the Gracie Academy. In 2000 he opened the Caique Gracie-Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy. Caique trained with RELSON until THE END OF his BLUE BELT, then RICKSON AND HELIO Through his BLACK BELT
 
“I met Helio Gracie at his houe when I was training with Relson. The funny thing is that Relson with a big heart always took me to eat the Gracie diet at his father house and Helio Gracie was like looking at that and asking why am I feeding this other child that is not mine? Lol but he was always coutersous to me as I was an student. As time passed I earned his trust and became closer to him. I used to go to the fruit market with him and sometimes with Carlos Gracie also. I remember i got injured and Helio took care of the treatment for me. I became his admirer and was willing to listen him,learn and reflect about his life style. An unique human being that live for Jiu Jitsu above all. He start to show me some techniques and with time more and more. As I was getting good he was watching my training and many times choose to show whats up to some visitors. Once I moved for good to his academy and Rickson was the head instructor my Jiu Jitsu was taken to another level. Helio was a short temper person. Probably the most brave person I met. He got mad at me couple times and made himself clear that he was ready to hit me. Ha! guess what?! I backed off. I had so much respect for him.”

Prof. Pedro Elias

Prof. Pedro Elias has been training Jiu-Jitsu since childhood. When he moved to the US at 12 years old he began taking his dad’s adult class. This allowed him to compete with adults and teach jiu-jitsu at 13 years of age. He has now been teaching kids for over 20 years! Prof. Pedro has trained with many legends of our art. He credits his jiu-jitsu to his father’s teachings and Master Rickson’s teachings as well.
 
“When I was about 13 I really wanted to get good at jiu-jitsu so my dad started teaching me privates. I remember we would just do the same move over and over, and it would work in sparring right away. That is where learned that through repetition you can master anything”
 
Prof. Pedro Elias is Master Rickson’s partner on his revolutionary instructional series. The Self Defense Unit!
 

Prof. Thomaz Elias

Started training Jiu Jitsu very early around 4 or 5 years old. Was never very consistent until moving to California with my Dad. Once in California I trained quite often and competed a lot as well. Did wrestling during high school and 1 year in college

Wanted to quit Jiu Jitsu many times because I thought I didn’t like it, but really I was being lazy and wanted to play video games. My dad helped me through that by telling me I had to play any sport, it didn’t have to be Jiu jitsu but time and time again I chose to stick with it. 

Once I didn’t have it readily available in college I realized how much I had grown to love it and upon returning home I dedicated all my free time to training and learning how to teach. 

It’s been about 6 years of teaching full time and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, it’s my absolutely favorite hobby and the joy I get from helping students improve is unparalleled. 

Jon

Jon has a background in Applied Behavior Analyses, working with children in the autistic spectrum. In addition to teaching and assisting in group classes, Jon teaches private lessons to children with special needs.

Brennen

Brennen has been friends with Professor Thomaz since they were kids. He started jiu-jitsu in April of 2010 and by December of 2010 was already an assistant instructor. Brennen now teaches many of our kids classes and a few adult classes every week. He is available for private lessons for kids and adults.

Robert