Biography of Alexandre "SOCA"

         Alexandre “Soca”
  Master Black Belt 4 Degree Under Carlos Gracie Jr.
  BJJ  training-  22 years
  Black Belt Time - 16 years
  Professor  Time - 18 Years
 Black Belts Under  Master Alexandre Soca - 16 black belts
  Owner and Head Instructor of the Soca Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Soca began training when he was 15 years old. Soca's brother, who was a blue belt at the time and trained at Gracie Barra, influenced his decision to begin training. After spending many of his days surfing, Soca decided to go to his brother's academy and give jiu-jitsu a try. After that day, Soca never wanted stop, and he began to train everyday. Soca first started training at Gracie Barra with Jean Jacques Machado. Jean Jacques showed him the most effective technique, which helped establish the foundation for Soca's amazing Jiu-Jitsu skill. When Jean Jacques moved to the United States, Soca, a purple belt at the time, began training with Carlos Gracie Jr. at the Gracie Barra main academy. Carlos awarded Soca his black belt in 1994. Since then Soca has won many prestigious titles such as Abu Dhabi champion, Pan-Am champion, and Brazilian National Champion.

At the Gracie Barra academy Soca has trained with many world champions such as Renzo Gracie, Ralph Gracie, Roger Gracie, Roberto "Gordo" Correa, Helio "Soneca" Moreira, Vinicius "Drakulino" Magalhaes Joao "Big Head" Paulo,Romel Cardoso, Mauricio "Tinguinha" Antonio "Nino" Schembri, Roberto "Roleta," Nelson Monteiro, Rafael "Gordinho" Correa, Marcio "Pe de Pano" Cruz, and many other champions.

           
 

                 Best Tournament Results:

 . Abu Dhabi Submission Grappling World Champion - Elected The most Technical Competitor of the Competition

 . BJJ Challenge - Brazil vs Japan G1-02 Professional League Champion. Defeated the Japanese Idol -  Yuki Nakai (Tokio/Japan)

 . 5x Brazilian National Champion

 . 2x BJJ Pan-American Champion

. 5x Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) State Champion

. No Gi BJJ Pan-American Champion

. Elected The most Technical Competitor of the State of Rio de Janeiro(Brazil)

. 2x Abu Dhabi Submission Grappling Vice Champion

. 2x Abu Dhabi Submission Grappling 4th Place

 . World BJJ Vice Champion
 
. World No Gi BJJ Vice Champion

Jiu-Jitsu's history can be traced back to India, where it was practiced by Buddhist monks many centuries ago. The monks used the art as self-defense by relying on techniques of balance and leverage without the use of weapons. When Buddhism spread to other Asian nations, and finally arrived in Japan, it brought along the art of Jiu-Jitsu to these nations.

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu masters traveled to other contries to teach and compete in competitions to help spread the art of Jiu-Jitsu. Esai Maeda Koma, also known as "Code Koma" was one master who traveled to Brazil in 1915. Conde Koma met Gastao Gracie, who assisted him in establishing a Japanese village. In return for helping him, Conde Koma offered to teach Gastao Gracie's eldest son, Carlos, the art of Jiu-Jitsu

Carlos Gracie learned the art of Jiu-Jitsu for personal improvement and self-defense. Carlos along with his brother Helio, reinvented Japanese Jiu-Jitsu into a martial art that is effective for a smaller person. This reinvention of Jiu-Jitsu has become known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In 1925 Carlos moved to Rio de Janeiro where he opened his own academy and began teaching and competing. Carlos would teach and prove the effectiveness of the art by defeating opponents who were physically stronger and bigger than him. Carlos also taught his philosophies of life as well as his concepts of natural nutrition. Carlos saw the art as a way to become a man who is more tolerant, respectful, and self-confident.

Carlos Gracie Jr. son of Carlso Gracie, established the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation and the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation in the early 90's, contributing to the rapid growth of the sport by holding organized competitions. Currently the confederations holds competitions in Brazil, the United States, Europe and Asia. Carlos Gracie Jr. is helping to make his father Carlos' dream come true by spreading Jiu-Jitsu throughout the world.