“Unchoke Our History”: Carlson Gracie Statue Vandalized Twice in One Week
The Carlson Gracie statue in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, has been vandalized twice in less than seven days—sparking outrage from both the global Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community and city residents.
The bronze Copacabana monument, inaugurated in 2019 as part of Rio’s “Adote.Rio” initiative to honor cultural icons, now stands tarnished and defaced just weeks after its unveiling.
Gracie, a legendary BJJ coach and fighter, considered a BJJ cultural icon, helped shape modern Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. His larger-than-life presence on the beach was intended as a permanent tribute to his legacy.
Now, his memory has become the center of an ugly dispute between vandals and a community unwilling to let this symbolic figure be disgraced.
Who Was Carlson Gracie, and Why This Statue Matters
The statue of Carlson Gracie, designed by renowned sculptor Mario Pitanguy and positioned in Praça Shimon Peres in Copacabana, isn’t just a monument—it’s a milestone for martial arts in Brazil. The statue marks the first permanent public installation of its kind for a BJJ legend in the city.
Originally part of the city’s “Adote.Rio” project, the statue was funded through private sponsorship and supported by Rio’s City Hall. Its unveiling drew major names from the Jiu-Jitsu world and Gracie family, all eager to pay tribute to the late master who mentored legends like Vitor Belfort, Murilo Bustamante, and Ricardo Libório.
<h5 class=”custom-quote”>”Carlson is a national hero, no one in the world has done what he did. We are respected all over the world.”<br><em>– Robson Gracie, Carlson’s brother -<em></h5>
Now, city officials and martial artists alike are scrambling to respond to the disrespect shown toward one of the sport’s most influential figures.
Not Just Vandalism—A Direct Hit on BJJ’s Cultural Legacy
The most recent act of vandalism included defacement of the statue’s base and physical damage to Carlson’s figure. Days earlier, it had been targeted with spray paint. With both incidents occurring so soon after the statue’s unveiling, the acts are being viewed not just as random mischief but as deliberate attacks on Brazil’s martial arts culture.
<h5 class=”custom-quote”>”We will have to remove it to rebuild. Another case of public money lost in an act of vandalism.”<br><em>– Diego Vaz, Secretary of Conservation -<em></h5>
This isn’t the first time Rio has had to defend its public tributes from vandalism, but the emotional weight carried by the Carlson Gracie statue makes this case different.
Across social media, Jiu-Jitsu practitioners worldwide have expressed a collective sense of heartbreak and anger, calling for better security and education about the value of these icons.
Rio’s Authorities and BJJ Community Join Forces for Preservation
The Rio de Janeiro City Hall confirmed that surveillance footage is being reviewed and that they’re working with local police to identify the perpetrators. Meanwhile, the Gracie family, athletes, and cultural preservationists are pushing for tighter protections around the statue.
The “Adote.Rio” initiative, while successful in creating landmarks, may now have to implement stronger follow-up protocols—especially when dealing with monuments of such cultural sensitivity.
Efforts are underway to clean and restore the statue, but the emotional damage among BJJ faithful may take longer to heal.
Rio’s Carlson Gracie Statue A Magnet for Misconduct
The Carlson Gracie statue was supposed to be a victory lap for one of BJJ’s greatest teachers. Instead, it’s become the latest front in the ongoing battle for cultural respect and the preservation of the Carlson Gracie legacy.
As BJJ continues to grow into a global sport, moments like this remind us that its roots still run deep in Brazilian soil—and must be protected. Carlson Gracie may no longer be in the corner of his students, but his memory clearly still stands for something worth fighting for.
<h5 class=”custom-quote”>”Carlson is a legend of national sports and deserves all the honors”<br><em>– Felipe Michel, municipal secretary of Healthy Aging, Quality of Life and Events -<em></h5>
