THE BEGINNING

Over the last 50 years, three generations of the Valente family have learned Gracie Jiu-Jitsu directly from Grand Master Hélio Gracie. Pedro Valente Sr. started learning judo at the age of nine. Pedro’s dad Syllo Valente, was an admirer of Hélio Gracie and took Pedro, who was 12 at the time, to watch the world title fight between Hélio and Kimura. The challenge took place at Maracana Stadium that seats over 100,000 spectators. Even though the heavier Kimura won they were very impressed with Hélio’s amazing technique and decided to enroll at the original Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro.

In 1951, father and son went to the academy in downtown Rio and started learning Jiu-Jitsu.

The late Dr. Syllo Valente was a naturalist and a homeopathic doctor. Like many Brazilians he was impressed with Grandmaster Helio’s great feats and found in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu an ideal complement to his life and the education of his son, Pedro.
Valente means brave in Portuguese and during a good part of his youth, Pedro Sr. was often forced to prove the name he carried. The practice of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu not only provided a powerful tool to cope with bullies but also a source of confidence that gradually taught him alternatives to physical confrontation. Pedro Sr. became one of Gracie Academy’s top students and went on to participate in several high profile challenges including a fight in Maracanãzinho stadium in front of 20 thousand people.

As a medical student in the early 60’s Pedro Sr. met one of Brazil’s most prominent plastic surgeons at the Gracie Academy. Training partners on the mat both developed a great friendship. This connection contributed greatly to the rapid success he achieved as a surgeon. In the early 80’s the New York Times recognized him as one of the world’s top 5 plastic surgeons. An accomplished physician, Dr. Valente became in two occasions Rio de Janeiro’s Secretary of Health and in one other opportunity Secretary of Transportation. Sports are also an important part of his life, in particular, Equestrian Show Jumping and Football (Soccer). He was Vasco da Gama’s Vice President and Chief Doctor. Vasco is one of the world's most recognized Soccer teams.

After fifty five years of training directly under Grandmaster Hélio Gracie, Dr. Pedro Valente Sr. holds an eighth degree black & red belt and the title of Master Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Professor.

Pedro and Guilherme Valente were born into the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu tradition. Both began learning Jiu-Jitsu from their father as soon as they learned how to walk. At age three, Pedro and Gui were already taking private lessons from Grandmaster Hélio Gracie. Growing up, the Valente brothers trained daily at the original Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro under Hélio, Royler, and Rolker Gracie. Throughout their training they had the privilage to learn from all the Gracie Brothers: Rorion, Relson, Rickson, Rolker, Royler, Royce, and Robin.

GRACIE JIU-JITSU ARRIVES IN MIAMI

At the age of 18, Pedro decided to move to the United States in order to attend the University of Miami School of Business Administration. Pedro continued his training by constantly traveling to the Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro. In 1994, Pedro received his Instructor Certification from the Gracie Academy in Torrance, California and started teaching classes in Miami. In 1995, with the help of Rorion and Royce Gracie, he founded a Jiu-Jitsu club at the University of Miami where he was able to teach several students and faculty members. In 1999, Gui also moved to South Florida to attend Barry University and help his brother with the School. By this time Gracie Miami was officially opening as the home of authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in South Florida.

Pedro and Gui's excellent instruction skills combined with their technical fighting styles allowed them to receive the Black belt at the early age of 21 directly from grandmaster Hélio Gracie. In 1999, Pedro successfully completed the Jiu-Jitsu Professor's course and received his diploma and title of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Professor. In 2001 Gui was awarded the coveted Professor's Diploma. This was a great accomplishment and honor in light of the fact that in 75 years only 25 people, including members of the Gracie family received this diploma from grandmaster Hélio Gracie. The youngest of the Valente Brothers, Joaquim, is currently a purple belt at the Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro, under Grand Master Hélio and Royler Gracie. As soon as he graduates from the American School of Rio de Janeiro he will join his brothers at Gracie Miami.

The Valente Brothers specialize in the traditional Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Self-Defense System, which has been proven to be extremely effective not only for the general public, but also for police and military officials. Pedro has taught Jiu-Jitsu to several law enforcement officers from agencies such as the FBI, U.S. Customs, U.S. Secret Service U.S. Southern Command, Miami Dade Special Response Teams, Miami Police Department, and many others. In addition to their Jiu-Jitsu skills, Pedro holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Miami and Gui holds a Master of Science in Sport Management from Barry University's School of Human Performance and Leisure Sciences.

With the rapid growth of Gracie Miami, Pedro saw the necessity of producing a future instructor. James Robertson, a long time family friend, accepted the invitation and joined the family.

James Robertson has been training Gracie Jiu-Jitsu for over ten years. Jimmy and Pedro’s friendship dates back to their high school days at the American School of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where Black Belt student Carlos Villares was also a classmate. In 1993 both decided to enroll at University of Miami where they became roommates. Influenced by Pedro’s love for Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Royce’s amazing victories in the Ultimate Fighting Championship Jimmy was attracted by the Gracie way. Soon Jimmy became one of Pedro’s most technical students. Jimmy’s loyalty, moral attributes and years of dedication combined with his technical abilities allowed him the opportunity to take a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu’s instructors course. In December of 2003 Professor Pedro Valente awarded Jimmy his Black Belt and instructor’s certification. Jimmy also holds a Master's Degree in Computer Information Systems and Management of Information Systems.