State schools – where we learn to read and write lay the basis of the education mainly in the formation of habits and the teaching of information that shapes them as citizens of the society we live in.

From an early age we learn to differentiate right from wrong, and it is then that we first hear about the art of jiu-jitsu. Gracie Barra schools around the world teach children not with blackboards and notebooks, but through face-to-face interaction and the contagious example of the personal experience. Our tools are the mats, the kimono and the sash.

As as a martial art, jiu-jitsu today has a very important role in the physical and intellectual development of children. Besides contributing to a healthy life as well as the development of discipline, jiu-jitsu also helps intellectual and emotional development . Our instructors teach an entire philosophy through the gentle art –one of respect, discipline and brotherly support. These are all basic pillars that often children cannot learn in a regular school.

On the mats the foundation of a strong character is laid. Our nation’s future shines through during the competitions as every achievement of our little champions is a collective one for the entire GB family.

Earning a medal requires more than just technique and agility. In this generation, we already see the reflections of good conduct and respect for people. Jiu-Jitsu is about so much more, which we are able to see in the grown-up way that children compete.

In some leagues the number of children exceeds that of adults. This massive presence of little ones is proof that jiu-jitsu today is more than a fighting sport. It is a way to contribute to the training of those who keep our legacy alive and will continue to learn – inside and outside the mat, through our own example.