KombatClinic.com sponsored seminar
No-gi BJJ with world champion Braulio 'Carcara' Estima

Who is Braulio Estima?

Braulio 'Carcara' Estima Bráulio Estima's first contact with the world of martial arts was Judo in 1989 at the age of 9. This was to last only one year when sadly in June of the following year his sensei Alex died. The death of the master was a hard blow for Bráulio, and he left the sport. However he did follow Judo at the Olympics of 1992 and 1996, watching the Brazilian judoka Miguel Aurelio win gold in 1992. Excited by these victories, he returned to training, not knowing the destination it would lead him to. Whilst he was training judo, a friend called Fernando Cavalcanti, introduced him to a sport that was only just beginning to spread in the state of Pernambuco: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

In the beginning, he trained BJJ to compliment and complete his judo, his main priority. But his passion for BJJ began to win him over and in 1998 he decided to switch his focus to his new sport. He had been training BJJ since October of 96 in the academy Gracie Barra/PE, under the tutelage of professor Jose Olimpío, better known as "Zé Radiola".

It did not take long for the fruits of this partnership to blossom. At the age of 16, having trained for one training month, the white belt Bráulio Estima won his first title at the Copa Incentivo 1996. "I knew this was just the beginning", said Bráulio. And it was. In less of one year in the Jiu-Jitsu, already it had conquered 5 important tournaments. Then, he was promoted to Blue Belt.

In 1999, Bráulio won his first international title, at the Pan-American championships in Miami, U.S.A. A competition he was subsequently to win another 4 times (2001, 2002, 2003 & 2006). To this date, nobody else from the north east has won 5 Pan Ams. The good results, the devotion for the sport and the refined technique of Bráulio led professor "Zé Radiola" to tell the CBJJ he was worthy of his next belt.

Master Carlos Gracie Jr, president of the CBJJ, promoted Bráulio to purple belt in Rio.

In the 2002 Mundials, he took silver in the -78kg category and then closed out the absolute with his team-mate Lucio 'Lagarto' Rodrigues. At the end of 2002, Maurício Motta Gomes, father of Braulio's good friend Roger Gracie, arranged for Braulio to move to England to teach at Gracie Barra Birmingham.

Moving to Europe didn't prevent Braulio from training and competing, and he continued his success, being hailed by Grappling magazine (edition of July of 2004): "Bráulio Estima is one of the most innovative instructors of Jiu-Jitsu of the United Kingdom". On January 4th 2004, Bráulio was promoted to Black Belt. Currently, Bráulio Estima continues to teach in the city of Birmingham, in England.

We all look forward to the next seminar! So watch this space for more news!