Misuyo Maeda

The art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu began with Mitsuyo Maeda (aka Conde Koma, or Count Combat in English), a Japanese expert in judoka and member of the Kodokan. Jigoro Kano sent Maeda overseas to spread his Judo to the world. Eventually, Maeda emigrated to Brazil in the 1910s where an influential businessman named Gastão Gracie helped him get established. In return for his aid, Maeda taught the fighting art to Gastão's son Carlos Gracie, who then taught the art to his brothers, including Hélio Gracie.

Hélio Gracie

When Maeda taught the art to the Gracies he called it Jujitsu instead of Judo. It is not known why he chose the name Jujitsu because Maeda had only trained in Jujitsu for a very brief time as a child. There is much speculation and debate over this. One theory is that because Maeda was fighting in "no holds barred" type matches, Kano felt was against the principles of Judo, and Maeda changed the name because of a falling out with Kano. Another theory is that Maeda included many "dirty" techniques in his teaching that had originated from classical jujitsu. At the time it was simply known as Jiu-Jitsu - not "Gracie Jiu-Jitsu" or "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu." These latter terms came to be when the Gracies came to the United States to spread their art. "Jiu-Jitsu" was also the original spelling of the art in the West and that is why this style retains the original (although technically incorrect) spelling of the art. Other common spellings are Jujitsu, Jujutsu, Ju jitsu and Ju-Jitsu. The variety of spellings are due to the difficulty in transliterating Japanese Kanji sounds into the English phonetic system.

Rickson Gracie

The Gracie brothers trained their sons, who carried on the family tradition. Helio was 16 and of small frame, light in weight (only 135 pounds), and in frail health when he began learning Jiu-Jitsu. Being unable to participate in classes, he would sit and watch his older brother teach every day. One day when Carlos was unable to make it to class, Helio was asked to instruct. Because of his size and stature, he began to work with and adapt the basic rules of Jiu-Jitsu. He introduced the application of leverage to the art, making it possible for a smaller opponent to defeat a larger one. He began experimenting, modifying and enhancing the basic techniques to make them effective for a person regardless of his or her stature. Thus began the development of a new and more effective art - Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Rickson (pronounced Hickson), son of Helio Gracie, was born into Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. At six years old he began competing; at fifteen he started to teach the art; and at eighteen he received his Black Belt. At twenty Rickson won his first awe-inspiring victory against the famous 230-pound Brazilian brawler Zulu who until that time had enjoyed a 140 match undefeated record.

Rodrigo Vaghi

Enter Rodrigo Vaghi. Rodrigo Vaghi started his training in Judo at the age of 4 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He trained with Sensei Yamata; the Japanese champion until the age of 10. He continued training in Judo with Sensei Jorge Medhi, winner of several national and international titles, until the age of 16. Rodrigo was the Rio de Janeiro State Judo champion for 5 consecutive years, from 1979 to 1984. Rodrigo started his Jiu-Jitsu at the age of l4 in the original Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro. Vaghi's instructors were Grandmaster Helio Gracie and his sons: Rickson, Royce, Royler and Rolker. After 14 years of training with the Gracie Family, Rodrigo has become a family friend and black belt instructor representing Rickson, the undisputed champion of the Gracies.

Mike Rogers

Head instructor of St. Charles Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Mike Rogers, has been traning under Rodrigo Vaghi since 1997, and is currently a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Mike also was a All American wrestler at SIUE, graduating with a teaching degree. He is a 2 time Golden Gloves Boxing Champion under the guidance of Jim Howell, and former #1 ranked Light Heavyweight contender in King of the Cage. Mike has a record of 14-3 in MMA, with wins over such top-notch fighters as Travis Fulton and Greg Wikan. He was the head wrestling coach at McCluer High School, coaching 5 state place finishers, including Tyron Woodley to a undefeated senior season at 48-0, placing 1st in the state and 3rd in the country. Mike was also the assistant wrestling coach at Meramec junior college for 2 seasons.