Earlier this week we talked extensively about actor and TV personality Mario Lopez competing in jiu jitsu. In that article we also talked about the explosions of celebrities that claim to be doing jiu jitsu – while actually just practicing Rigan Machado’s celebrity modality that involves no live application of what they’ve learned.
Supermodel Gisele Bundchen recently bragged about her new Brazilian jiu jitsu skills in a social media post. The 41 year old retired Victoria’s Secret Model seems to be enjoying her classes. Bundchen is of Brazilian origins so it’s no surprise she would choose a Brazilian martial art. According to her wikipedia page she was born in Horizontina, Rio Grande do Sul and is a sixth-generation German Brazilian.
“I believe the more tools we have in our toolbox the better,” Bundchen captioned her post. “I feel stronger, more confidence and empowered since I started practicing self-defense. I feel it’s an important skill for all, but specially for us women.”
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Bundschen can be seen in the clip demonstrating self defense applications of Gracie jiu jitsu. Bundschen is coached by the Valente brothers. For those unaware, Valente’s have been struggling to market themselves with the emergence of sport jiu jitsu and modern jiu jitsu moving away from the roots it had in the late nineties. This inspired them to cultivate this particular modality. The modality actually goes so far as to demote some proven fighters only in order to have them re-learn self defense basics.
Back in 2017 they posted the following picture along with UFC powerhous Alistair Overeem.
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The pair went on to promote Overeem to blue belt that very same year.
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