Braulio Estima

Braulio Estima was born on June 10, 1980 in Recife, Brazil. He was first exposed to martial arts at the young age of 9, where he was introduced to Judo. However, a year later, his judo instructor suffered an untimely death, which caused Estima to take a break from martial arts. Six years later, he decided to come back and began training Judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

Braulio Estima was first under the tutelage of Charles Dos Anjos when he first began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Gracie Barra. In less than one year of training, he captured 5 major junior titles in the white belt division, and as a result, was promoted to blue belt. When Dos Anjos left the academy, Ze Radiola took over as Estima's mentor and teacher. In 1999, after 3 years of training, Estima won his first Pan-American Championship as a blue belt.[2] He was then promoted to purple belt soon after. Following more successful tournament showings, such as the bronze medal at the Pan-American Championship in 2000, he was promoted to brown belt. He went on to win gold for three straight years (2001-2003) in the Pan-American Championship as a brown belt.[3]

At the end of 2002, Maurição Gomes invited Estima to teach at the Gracie Barra Academy in Birmingham, England to replace him. Estima accepted Maurição's offer and made Birmingham his permanent home. He continues to teach there to this day with the help of his brother Victor Estima and Otavio Souza. Since then, Braulio has taught several respected UK grapplers such as Graham Keys, Tom Barlow, Chris Rees and Luke Costello.[4]

On January 4, 2004, Estima received his black belt from Carlos Gracie Jr. Five months after this, Estima won the Mundials in the 85 kg weight division. This victory made him well respected among other Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners because he was only a black belt for 5 months when he won the tournament.[3] Two years later, Estima went on to win the 2006 Mundials and Pan American Championship and eventually captured all the major titles when he won the European Championship, Mundials, and ADCC in 2009.

Estima made history when he submitted seven people in a total of 5 minutes and 24 seconds at the 2003 Pan-American Championship.[1]

Estima currently holds the most wins at the European Championship, with a total number of 5.[10]

His nickname, Carcará, comes from a name of a bird around his hometown in northeast Brazil. In addition, he also used to wear a gi brand called Carcará, which has been discontinued.[11]

Braulio Estima at World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup 2010 in Abu Dhabi

• World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup 2010 (2nd place in Absolute and -83 kg divisions)
• World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup 2009 (2nd place in Absolute and 4th place in -95 kg divisions)
• 2011 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Superfight Champion
• 2009 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - 88 kg and Absolute Champion
• Absolute World Cup Champion - 2006
• Absolute World Champion - 2002
• World Champion - 2004, 2006, 2009
• Grand Slam Capital Challenge Jordan - 2008 heavy weight and Absolute Champion
• Pan American Champion - 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006
• Absolute Pan American Champion - 2003
• Pan American No Gi Champion - 2008
• Absolute Pan American No Gi Champion - 2008
• European Champion - 2007, 2009, 2011
• Absolute European Champion - 2007, 2009
• Champion of the International Team - 2003, 2007
• Champion's Challenge BRAZIL X USA - 2003
• ADCC Silver Medalist - 2007
• World Silver Medalist - 2008
• 3rd placed on the World Championship - 2003
• 3rd placed on the World Championship - 2001
• 1st place on the World Championship-2001

• List of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners

• Confederation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Results
• Braulio Estima BJJ (GI) career on Martial Arts Ranking