Martial Arts Around the World: London (Carlson Gracie London)
Hey whats up? We’re keeping the good vibes going with our next feature on Martial Arts Around the World: my friends at Carlson Gracie London, located in Hammersmith, London. I hit them up on my last trip to the UK, and they extended a very warm invitation my way to check them out. Without further ado, lets get to it.
Traveling Warrior
The driving force behind Carlson Gracie London is Mr.Wilson Jr., a man with an authoritative presence (he’s easily over six feet five inches) and a colorful background. He started off training in Judo over 30 years ago in Brazil (Rio) and transitioned to Luta Livre while still in his early teens. Over the years he would eventually move on to BJJ, training under Nelson Solari while working as a bouncer in a crime ridden zone in Rio. He would go on to serve in the French Foreign Legion, and after a brief stint in Sweden after his service, he relocated to the UK. After briefly teaching at the Budokwai (the oldest Judo club in Europe), he and a friend (Luca Menagacci) would launch Carlson Gracie London, a labor of love that he began with a handful of students. Wilson would be a brown belt under Carlson Gracie Sr. in Brazil and wanted to pay homage to his mentor via the club. Today, Carlson Gracie London has a well earned reputation of a no nonsense, intense BJJ club with a fight team that continues to win many international championships.
The Club
Carlson Gracie London is situated in Hammersmith, London in what was once a warehouse. Today they offer classes in BJJ, Judo, Wrestling, Muay Thai, MMA and fitness. Interestingly enough, Glenn Spiers, head instructor at the Shinbudo Grappling Club is also the head Judo instructor at Carlson Gracie London!
Check out the below pics from the club.
Big shoutout and salute to Glenn Spiers and Dickie Martin, both of whom made my Carlson Gracie London visit possible, and Wilson Jr., who welcomed me into his space and treated me with the utmost respect. Enjoy the below video preview, and be sure to watch the full feature on Carlson Gracie London by clicking HERE. Make sure you also check out the tutorial videos, where you’ll get to see Wilson give some BJJ lessons using me as a test dummy (smile)! If you’re ever in London and interested in BJJ or Mixed Martial Arts training, be sure to look up Carlson Gracie London at bjjlondon.com. Enjoy!
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