GrCh35
07-23-2007, 01:04 PM
Kron Gracie
July 29th, 2006 by Gumby
The first time I saw Kron, it was 1997 or so at Joe Moriera’s Second International Tournament (one of the largest events ever held in the US). He was about 8 or 9 at the time. After the tournament it was time to clean up and people were helping clear out the tatame style mats. While most people would grab one at a time, sometimes struggling because they can be awkward to carry, Kron was skipping along carrying two over his head. I remember thinking to myself back then that this kid was going to grow up into a monster.
For a long time, Kron’s thing wasn’t jiu jitsu at all. He wanted to grow up to be a professional skateboarder. A number of time when I would visit Rickson’s academy to train, Kron would spend his time practicing jumps in the parking lot.
From what I understand it was the passing of his older brother Rockson that motivated Kron to take jiujitsu more seriously. Since that point Kron has quietly been working diligently on his skills, and has been entering a number of tournaments, pretty much winning everything he has competed in. I have footage of him as an orange belt, but because of his age I never really made a big deal of it. He needed time to have fun in the sport and develop into his own man. The tremendous mantle of being the son of Rickson Gracie and all the expectations it carried with it would be bestowed upon him soon enough.
I don’t think that the pressures within our community of being Rickson’s son can be emphasized enough. I knew it was a tremendous thing for Rockson, who was in the spotlight since birth. How many new blue belts can you think of that would have the tournament stop for them?
It’s important to note that Kron was allowed to approach Jiu Jitsu much more on his own terms, and he has developed as such. Yesterday he took a big step forward as a man in capturing his first world title. I have every confidence he will be able to handle it well, and we can look forward to his legacy.
Posted in BJJ |
2 Responses to “Kron Gracie”
alton Says:
August 25th, 2006 at 8:05 am
second that kron must just be his own man although i would like another rickson to shut up the big mouths and challenging coming left right and centre gracie forever
Rob Says:
December 8th, 2006 at 10:00 am
Kron will have more pressure and more people gunning for him, than any other Gracie. Because he is Rickson’s son, every Black Belt will want to put him down to better there name and academy. I hope he takes that part of this, very seriously. Whether he wants it or not, he will be the tourchbearer for the next 10-15 years of Gracie Jiu Jitsu. I only wish, Kron and his cousins would train together, as the past generations of Gracie’s and Machado’s did. “Iron sharpens Iron”, that why they had so many great champions in the past and learned from each other and that helped evolve the art of Gracie Jiu Jitsu. I know money and pride and their own agenda’s have gotten in the way of preparing the next generation of fighter’s for the family. Could you imagine if Kron, Rener,Crosley,Ryron,Rodrigo and Roger trained with Renzo,Relson,Ralph,Royce,Rickson,Carlos Jr.,Carley,Ryan,Carlson Jr.,Charles,Royler,Cesar,Carlos Machado,Jean Jacques and Rorion. Cross Training with other family members, is what evolved their art, and created a stable of fighters that will never be matched ever again in the history of Martial Arts. So much is lost on this generation, when the chance is there to really continue dominence, in a sport they basically created.
July 29th, 2006 by Gumby
The first time I saw Kron, it was 1997 or so at Joe Moriera’s Second International Tournament (one of the largest events ever held in the US). He was about 8 or 9 at the time. After the tournament it was time to clean up and people were helping clear out the tatame style mats. While most people would grab one at a time, sometimes struggling because they can be awkward to carry, Kron was skipping along carrying two over his head. I remember thinking to myself back then that this kid was going to grow up into a monster.
For a long time, Kron’s thing wasn’t jiu jitsu at all. He wanted to grow up to be a professional skateboarder. A number of time when I would visit Rickson’s academy to train, Kron would spend his time practicing jumps in the parking lot.
From what I understand it was the passing of his older brother Rockson that motivated Kron to take jiujitsu more seriously. Since that point Kron has quietly been working diligently on his skills, and has been entering a number of tournaments, pretty much winning everything he has competed in. I have footage of him as an orange belt, but because of his age I never really made a big deal of it. He needed time to have fun in the sport and develop into his own man. The tremendous mantle of being the son of Rickson Gracie and all the expectations it carried with it would be bestowed upon him soon enough.
I don’t think that the pressures within our community of being Rickson’s son can be emphasized enough. I knew it was a tremendous thing for Rockson, who was in the spotlight since birth. How many new blue belts can you think of that would have the tournament stop for them?
It’s important to note that Kron was allowed to approach Jiu Jitsu much more on his own terms, and he has developed as such. Yesterday he took a big step forward as a man in capturing his first world title. I have every confidence he will be able to handle it well, and we can look forward to his legacy.
Posted in BJJ |
2 Responses to “Kron Gracie”
alton Says:
August 25th, 2006 at 8:05 am
second that kron must just be his own man although i would like another rickson to shut up the big mouths and challenging coming left right and centre gracie forever
Rob Says:
December 8th, 2006 at 10:00 am
Kron will have more pressure and more people gunning for him, than any other Gracie. Because he is Rickson’s son, every Black Belt will want to put him down to better there name and academy. I hope he takes that part of this, very seriously. Whether he wants it or not, he will be the tourchbearer for the next 10-15 years of Gracie Jiu Jitsu. I only wish, Kron and his cousins would train together, as the past generations of Gracie’s and Machado’s did. “Iron sharpens Iron”, that why they had so many great champions in the past and learned from each other and that helped evolve the art of Gracie Jiu Jitsu. I know money and pride and their own agenda’s have gotten in the way of preparing the next generation of fighter’s for the family. Could you imagine if Kron, Rener,Crosley,Ryron,Rodrigo and Roger trained with Renzo,Relson,Ralph,Royce,Rickson,Carlos Jr.,Carley,Ryan,Carlson Jr.,Charles,Royler,Cesar,Carlos Machado,Jean Jacques and Rorion. Cross Training with other family members, is what evolved their art, and created a stable of fighters that will never be matched ever again in the history of Martial Arts. So much is lost on this generation, when the chance is there to really continue dominence, in a sport they basically created.