The first ever VB Self-Defense workshop, with professors Pedro, Gui, Joaquim and a special lecture by Grandmaster João Alberto Barreto. Thank you.
Tag Archives: Valente Brothers
04
Nov
Nov
Another great Youth Fellowship Challenge (YFC). Thank you staff, parents, and VB family for all your support. Congratulations to everyone who accepted the challenge.
01
Oct
Oct
Thank you VB family. This was our Helio Gracie Day.
Fifty Valente Brothers black belts, professors, instructors, assistant instructors and study group leaders gathered at VB Headquarters in North Miami Beach. The Shokunin Conference was the first ever of its kind and the results were extremely positive. Over the course of three days the conference covered many topics including important historical findings, pedagogical techniques, nutritional advice and a 753 Code discussion. During the meeting the Valente brothers also presented new norms and requirements for black belt degrees. The Shokunin Conference will become a yearly event.
Did you know that between 1997 and 2007 Grandmaster Helio Gracie visited his life long students, the Valente brothers, in Miami, every single year, sometimes multiple times a year? The greatest exponent of modern Jiu-jitsu and one of the founding fathers of the gentle art in Brazil lived the last 20 years of his life in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro. The location resembled a samurai style compound. The late Grandmaster loved nature and was surrounded horses and dogs. He always considered himself to be a fine horseman. Grandmaster Helio lived like a true samurai and continued perfecting his self-defense skills until his final years. As he aged and became physically weaker he adapted his fighting skills so that he could continue to withstand the attacks of younger and stronger opponents. On January 29th, 2009, Helio Gracie, who was 95 years young, departed to the next stage of his spiritual journey. Watch the CBS News piece bellow and find out where were the only three places the Grandmaster taught in the last years of his life.
Last night the Valente Brothers family came together to celebrate 2016 and the new Blue, Purple, Brown, and Black Belts. Students from all VB locations joined our friends from the Royce Gracie Network for the largest Belt Ceremony in Miami to date. This year’s ceremony was dedicated to Grandmaster Pedro Valente Sr. The UFC Hall of Fame member and the Godfather of MMA, Royce Gracie, was once again in attendance.
