Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Maui students won several awards at the Honolulu International Open Tournament. They include (from left): front row — Edward Monet, Michael Bates, Steve Krawczyk, Colton Florian, Bodean Bates and Keoki Yanos; back row — Steve Graver, Lucas Texeira, George Chihara, Instructor Christian Grandi and Shane Tappara.

LAHAINA — The worldwide explosion of mixed martial arts will reach Maui with the arrival of Carlson Gracie Jr. for a three-day jiu-jitsu seminar to be held Sept. 27-29 in Lahaina.

A Japanese grappling martial art, jiu-jitsu has gained popularity with the advancement of the Gracie system in Brazil, and now around the world as a vital component of MMA.  

This breakthrough event will be sponsored by the Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Maui organization headed up by Christian Grandi, Nidan (second degree black belt), who earned his ranking through the Gracie system.

“The seminars by Carlson Gracie Jr. will be open to the public and will be held at our Lahaina school at 11 Ulupono Street in the new industrial area (mauka of Walgreen’s).

“He is a fifth-degree black belt in jiu-jitsu and also holds a black belt in judo, as well as being a national champion wrestler. The seminars will cover jiu-jitsu techniques and self-defense, and all are welcome to attend.”

Grandi emphasized that the Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu system focuses on the traditional virtue of martial arts.

“We want to teach the importance of loyalty, respect and honesty,” he said. “We want to teach the younger generation to live a clean and honest life without drugs or anything that might put them in the wrong direction.”

Grandi, who teaches classes six days a week and has been instructing in Lahaina for three years, said he feels blessed to be in his current situation.

“This is all too good to be true — to be able to teach jiu-jitsu, surf and enjoy the beautiful Maui lifestyle. It’s unbelievable,” he said.

His Lahaina club recently competed in the Honolulu International Open Tournament sponsored by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu organization at Kaiser High School on Oahu.

First place winners from Maui at the Sept. 4 competition included Colton Florian, Mike Bates, Bodean Bates, Eddie Monet, George Chihara and Steve Krawczyk; silver medalists Lucas Texeira, Shane Tappara and Steve Graver; and third place winner Keoki Yanos.

Next up will be the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) Tournament on Oct. 23 on Oahu at Radford High School.

Grandi reported that this tournament — one of the largest in the world — will feature several of the top jiu-jitsu practitioners in the nation.

For more information, go to www.808jiujitsu.com or call 298-8265.