Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Ricardo de la Riva > Hakim Ait Ouaret > Gary Etenna > Rodrigue Logombe
- Ricardo De La Riva
Ricardo de La Riva began training at Carlson Gracie’s academy in 1980 after a beach dispute, developing his now-famous open guard system to survive Carlson’s passadores and earning his black belt in 1986 by beating Royler Gracie. Though de La Riva stopped competing in 1993 to teach, he returned in 2002 to win a bronze medal at 37 and competed through 2004, cementing his innovative legacy in jiu-jitsu.
- Hakim Aït Ouaret
The Algerian BJJ coach Hakim began his career in 1999 when he started training at Cercle Tissier, the first BJJ academy in France located near Paris. After frequently traveling to Brazil, Hakim founded his own academy, Urban Team, in the Paris suburb of Aulnay sous Bois and was awarded his belts by the legendary Ricardo de la Riva. Through teaching in the suburbs, Hakim helped transform BJJ in France from an upper-class sport, to a sport more accessible to minorities in Paris suburbs.
- Gary Etenna
As a student of Hakim Aït Ouaret, he earned his belts before opening his own BJJ academy, NSM Team, in Neuilly sur Marne while still a brown belt. His coaching has since produced a considerable number of champion students from his academy.
- Rodrigue Logombe
