Press Release – Vancouver, BC (March 5th, 2012) – Roots of Fight releases another stunning mini documentary and accompanying apparel. The film pays tribute to the epic grappling match between Gracie family patriarch and father of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Helio Gracie and legendary Japanese judoka Masahiko Kimura on October 23rd 1951.
Prior to the match, Kimura, considered at the time to be the greatest judoka in the world, boasted that he would “finish the fight with the first grip.” Kimura used his significant weight advantage to repeatedly throw the smaller Gracie, but could not finish him. In the thirteenth minute of the match, Kimura secured an ude garami shoulder lock. Gracie refused to submit, but his corner, realizing the only possible outcome, threw in the towel and forfeited the match. Today, in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu the ude garami is simply known as the Kimura.
“He knew he was going to lose in front of his whole country, but he still engaged,” says Rener Gracie. “And that’s the definition of a warrior. That’s the definition of a fighter. That’s the definition of a modern-day samurai.”
Click here to view the embedded video.
Roots of Fight commemorates Gracie vs. Kimura through the release of a short documentary with the story of the historic match recounted by Helio’s grandson, Rener Gracie and footage of the match itself.
In addition to the mini documentary, Roots of Fight has produced original apparel inspired by the notable fight and the beginnings of the Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro.
The Gracie vs. Kimura T-Shirt is an off-white, premium vintage triblend T. Art work channels the spirit of what a fight T from the epic bout would have looked like in 1951.
The Gracie Brasil T-shirt is a super soft, vintage heather green tri-blend crew-neck. Front art is inspired by the passport received by new members at the original Academy. Back art pays homage to the Gracie family lineage and its Brazilian roots.
The Academia Gracie Crew Neck Sweat Shirt is a light weight, athletic raglan Triblend pullover. This retro styled piece features full front and back vintage prints.
The Academia Gracie T-shirt features super soft, hand-drawn prints on a premium cotton vintage t-shirt. Front art is inspired by the passport received by new members at the original Academy. Back art displays a throwback “AG” insignia and the Gracie name to celebrate the roots of the Gracie JJ Academy.
About Roots of Fight
Founded in 2009 as a subsidiary of Lancaster Ltd., Roots of Fight has carved out a unique niche in popular culture by translating the histories and legend surrounding classic brands, icons, sports, and martial arts into a collection of men’s and women’s vintage-inspired T-shirts, sweatshirts and sweaters. A story-driven company, Roots of Fight also produces compelling documentaries to illuminate the foundation/history behind each capsule/collection of clothing.