Joao Felipe Announces His Plans To Clean Up Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu In San Francisco

Further fall out from Kurt Osiander’s departure leaves Joao Felipe to pick up the pieces at Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu San Francisco. In Facebook post on Saturday, he explains,

Now my mission is to make the needed improvements and provide high quality classes with a policy of no drinks nor drugs, no cursing, nor swearing words.

This policy may be standard practice at most academies, but it was clearly not enforced when Kurt Osiander was an instructor. A man who prides himself on brashness and being himself, Osiander is nothing if not unconventional.

Felipe mentions “old school jiu jitsu” and,

“one based in discipline, respect, the cultivation of clean health habits and equilibrium, to be strong, to say no to bad things…”

He doesn’t specifically mention Osiander, but it’s clear through his references that he doesn’t agree with his lifestyle or teaching habits. We can only assume this war of words will continue to create a rift in the San Francisco jiu-jitsu community.

For more than 25 years, I’ve been a member of Gracie Barra. I’ve learned many lessons with my master Carlos Gracie Junior . One of the things I’ve learned is to be respectful and loyal. When I accepted the challenge to help Master Ralph at Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, I asked my Master Carlos Gracie Jr for his guidance and advise, he knew that not only this would be an opportunity of growth but also an opportunity to be closer to my son who now lives in San Francisco. The response of Master Carlos Gracie Jr almost brought me to tears when he gave me his blessing to embrace this new challenge, he who promoted me since I was an yellow belt up to 4° degree black belt , and encouraged me to come and be part of Ralph Gracie San Francisco. He made me remember that Master Ralph is his nephew son of his beloved older brother Robson and just like me Master Ralph is also a black belt under Master Carlos. Gracie Jiu Jitsu was born within the family of these both incredible leaders and for them family and loyalty are the most important things in this World! Now my mission is to make the needed improvements and provide high quality classes with a policy of no drinks nor drugs, no cursing, nor swearing words . The real Old school Jiu-Jitsu is the one Master Carlos Gracie Jr father and Master Ralph’s grandfather created ! One based in discipline, respect, the cultivation of clean health habits and equilibrium, to be strong, to say NO to bad things and to follow the traditional principles of this amazing art which has the ultimate goal to form better individuals, ready to serve and support our community and society, to promote in each student the willing to become the best version of themselves. I’m glad to be part of this family, Master Ralph besides been a legend , just like his grandfather and continuing the legacy of his family is a honored man who believes in the power of Jiu-Jitsu, transforming lives and building better communities, I have no worries regarding my conduct at Ralph Gracie SF, I want be part of this school as a role model so my son and any kid that trains here can look up to me and to Master Ralph as their role models and heroes champions on the mats but 👇

A post shared by Joao filipe jerry Oliveira (@filipejerry) on Jul 7, 2018 at 9:18am PDT

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