MY PURPLE BELT PROMOTION

Professor Luiz Palhares, awarded me the purple belt.

6th Degree Black belt under Rickson Gracie, Professor Luiz Palhares began training in 1976 with the legendary Rolls Gracie. He received his purple belt under Rolls and then trained with Carlos Gracie for a period. He has been under Rickson Gracie since 1982 and received his brown and black belt from Rickson. Luiz Palhares received his black belt in 1984. He has won the Rio de Janeiro championships several times:

2000, 2003, 2004 Pan American Champion super heavy weight senior division and open.

2002, 2003 3rd place in Masters and Seniors International.

1998 Brazilian National Champion in heavy weight senior division and open.

After moving from Rio de Janeiro (Gracie Academy), Luiz Palhares has been teaching law enforcement and women self-defense (anti-rape) classes and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Bjj) seminars in America, Canada and Europe (Paris, London and Belfast).

It is an honor having professor Luiz Palhares as my instructor. With the experience, knowledge, and skills built over 30 years of consistent training, professor Luiz Palhares is with no doubt one of the best brazilian jiu-jitsu instructors in the world (one of only a handful in existence 6th degree black belt).

If you are serious about your training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, then Jacksonville Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is the right place for you to become a better fighter.

To learn about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and professor Luiz Palhares, visit the Jacksonville Gracie Jiu-Jitsu web site.

I would like to thanks all my friends and training partners. All of you helped me to achieve this reward.

Special thanks to my son Jesse for taking all the pictures. He also practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and currently he is a blue belt, under Professor Luiz Palhares.

Here a few pictures of my belt promotion.