GRANDMASTER ARMANDO WRIEDT

A pioneer of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Armando Wriedt was one of the 7 Jiu-Jitsu Masters who received his red belt from the hands of the late Grand Master, Hélio Gracie. Armando Wriedt held the Gracie Jiu Jitsu style in several grappling and “Vale-Tudo” events – also known as No Holds Barred, the sport that became MMA later. Armando met Hélio Gracie when he was 21 years old; Hélio and he had a friend in common and Armando started visiting the Gracie Farm regularly in order to pick up Jiu Jitsu training with the Gracie brothers.

While Finishing his obligatory Military Service time, Armando turned to the Gracie’s for shelter and ended up living in the Gracie gym for 8 years, learning Jiu Jitsu and all about the concepts of nutrition.

During this time, Armando fought for the gym on three occasions at Vale-Tudo (no-holds-barred) events in Rio de Janeiro, although fighting was not in his nature.

Armando is a true fan of “Mahatma” Gandhi, as he does not agree woth violence; to please his masters, however, he fought and finished all three fights in a quick submission. After spending 8 years living and breathing the Gracie’s way, Armando left the gym (with Helio’s consent) and started teaching for personal body guards at the ESNI (Escola de Serviço Nacional de Informação) and presidents personal guards.

Armando Wriedt was ninety four years old when he left us and completed his mission as an educator with great praise. After the loss of Grandmaster Armando Wriedt in 2019, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was orphaned by one of the greatest representatives of true BJJ.