Tag Archives: Helio Gracie

Valente Brothers’ Japan Journey – Day 4 (Continuation): A Special Testimonial from Teruyuki Okuda

Following the seminar at Axis Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Pedro received a meaningful testimonial from jujutsu researcher and black belt Teruyuki Okuda.Moved by the experience, Okuda shared his thoughts on Pedro’s teachings and the impact they had on him:

“I had the honor of attending a seminar by the great Sensei Pedro Valente at the Axis Jiu-Jitsu Academy, a place I have long admired.

Sensei Pedro has been one of my idols for many years.

I finally received answers regarding self-defense that I had never been able to find before.

You truly embody the Gracie spirit more than anyone else in the world.

Your technique of modernizing the classic Sodeguruma and the way you applied Kuzushi from the Jigotai position were nothing short of eye-opening.

After the seminar, we held a fascinating discussion on the history of Jiu-Jitsu with Hishida Sensei, Nakajima Sensei, and Hosokawa Sensei until the last train.

It was an incredibly meaningful time. Thank you very much.

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Ted, the businessman, who stayed with us until late, and to Watanabe Sensei of Axis Jiu-Jitsu Academy for his long hours of interpreting and for sharing his own intriguing insights.

Lastly, I am deeply thankful to Sensei Gustavo from the University of São Paulo for introducing me to my long-time idol, Sensei Valente.”

Gui Valente Seminar in Veesp

On January 4th, Professor Gui returned to the VB Study Group in Veesp, Netherlands  led by Eric van Looijen for the annual Valente Brothers Seminar. Professor Gui taught two specialization seminars, focusing on headlock defenses and the closed guard. 

Pedro Valente Seminar in Houston

On November 2nd and 3rd, Professor Pedro Valente returned to Cantu’s Self-Defense to visit VB black belts Roy Cantu, Calvin Carter and all students. On Saturday, Professor Pedro taught and evaluated three youth classes. On Sunday, Professor Valente taught the traditional adult five elements workshop.

Helio Gracie day

On October 1st, Valente Brothers celebrated the Hélio Gracie day. Since Grandmaster Hélio left us on January 29th, 2009, the VB family has celebrated Grandmaster Hélio’s birthday in all its locations throughout the world. This year, at our headquarters in North Miami Beach, Professor Pedro, Gui and Joaquim have taught some of their Grandmaster’s favorite techniques and details.

TEDx Talk with Pedro Valente

Over the last 70 years, three generations of the Valente family have trained in the martial art of jūjutsu. Pedro, the oldest member of the third generation, started his martial arts journey at the tender age of two. Along with his younger siblings, he was a direct disciple of Grand Master Helio Gracie who is internationally recognized as one of the greatest exponents of jūjutsu in the modern era. For the last 25 years the Valente Brothers have been teaching self defense in Miami. They own and operate a beautiful free standing building dedicated exclusively to teaching the techniques and philosophy of jūjutsu to students of all ages. Their student body includes leading professionals, celebrities, business notables and professional athletes from leagues such as the NFL, NBA and the NHL. In addition, they instruct federal and local law enforcement agencies, the US Army, Navy Seals and other military units. Pedro also holds a Bachelors and a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Miami. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

20 Year Anniversary of Fighting Foundations

In 1999, Valente Brothers first offered the famous and original Fundamentals 27 Lessons, today known as Fighting Foundations. At the time, Professor Pedro Valente decided to pioneer the development of a curriculum for group classes.

Grandmaster Hélio Gracie, who visited Valente Brothers more than once a year from 1997 until 2007, always felt that the group class format, developed in the 1970s primarily to prepare students for point tournaments, did not did not effectively transmit his system. At this time, Grandmaster Hélio often stated that students could only learn the complete self-defense program through private classes. With the organization and development of the Fighting Foundations he changed his mind. After testing and approving the program, he began to recommend it to all schools associated with him and often participated in Fighting Foundations Lessons when visiting Miami.

In the last fifteen years, inspired by the Fighting Foundations, many schools began to implement standardized curriculums in their group classes. Through the development of an organized and efficient methodology called the VB method, we have assisted in the success of many schools around the world. Currently all VB schools, affiliates and study groups continue to offer Fighting Foundations, which has already reached its fifth version.