Carlson Gracie Jr. visited the Northwest from his home base of Chicago for a series of seminars at Marcelo Alonso's schools in Seattle and Puyallup, as well as at George Hissung's gym in Bainbridge, WA. For those that don't know, Carlos Gracie Jr. is the only son of Carlson Gracie Sr., the legendary Grand Master of BJJ who passed away just 2 years ago, and the grandson of the Carlos Gracie, the man who introduced Jiu-jitsu to Brazil. Under his father, Carlson Jr. started studying Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at just 3 years old and was given the nickname of "The Prince of Jiu-jitsu". As a young man, he competed and excelled winning 10 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships and 6 Greco-Roman wrestling championships, as well as fighting in such MMA events in the 90's as Extreme Fighting Championship and the Chicago Challenge. Carlson Jr. is a 4th degree BJJ Black Belt under his father, and also holds a black belt in Judo. He has long since retired from competition, but the 38 year old is now dedicated to teaching the art and life changing properties of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu to the world.

At this particular seminar on May 16th, a small group of 20 or so excited students gathered at Marcelo Alonso's school in North Seattle to take in some world class instruction. Carlson Jr. and Marcelo have known each other for many years (Marcelo received his training and also competed under Carlson Gracie Sr.), and their easy and funny banter kept everyone in stitches. But it was the instruction the students were there for and both Carlson Jr. and Marcelo provided hands-on teaching that the students will hold with them for a long long time. Carlson Gracie Jr. regularly teaches seminars around the nation as well as regular BJJ classes in Chicago.

Learn more about Carlson Gracie Jr. & the Carlson Gracie Federation at carlsongraciefederation.com.

Visit Carlson Gracie Chicago at myspace.com/carlsongracie.

Marcelo Alonso plans on bringing other big name BJJ legends to the Northwest to his schools for seminars. Learn more about Marcelo Alonso BJJ including class locations and information about upcoming seminars at www.MABJJ.com.

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