Chuck Norris
Legendary Jiu-Jitsu Teacher Talks Martial Arts Legacy
… Educated For A long time
Revealed
TMZSports.com
Chuck Norris‘ longtime jiu-jitsu teacher, legendary professor Rigan Machado, is remembering the martial arts legend as far more than a Hollywood star and cultural icon, however somebody who was like household for many years.
“[Chuck’s] a brother. For me, he’s not just a friend. My relationship with Chuck Norris was over 30 years. Me and my brothers we called him Carlos because we were so close to him as a friend,” Machado informed TMZ Sports activities simply hours after Norris’ loss of life was introduced.
“We don’t feel the celebrity vibe. We talk to him like a brother. I kind of get sad, but at the same time, he accomplished everything he wanted to in his life. He’s a phenomenal martial artist. A phenomenal action movie star, a phenomenal father, husband. He accomplished everything he dreamed about.”
FYI, Rigan is likely one of the most revered BJJ practitioners to ever step foot on a mat … so that is extremely excessive reward.
Talking of mats, Machado says Norris could not get sufficient of BJJ.
“When he started training, he wanted to train every day. ‘I want to train. I want to train.’ He put mats in his house. I started going to his house, training every day.”
Rigan says he really deliberate to depart the U.S. again within the day, and head dwelling to Brazil … however Chuck pleaded with him to not go away, promising they might open an academy within the States.
“He’s an amazing guy. Very sweet, but he trained very hard. He’s the type of guy who when he loves something, he wants to do 100%. He don’t do 10%. He does 100%. That’s what I love about him.”
We additionally talked to a different Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend, Rickson Gracie … who too goes approach again with Chuck. In truth, Gracie and Norris famously sparred in 1988, and it was captured on video.
Just like Rigan, Rickson had profound respect for his film star buddy.
“We all love Chuck. He’s a great guy, great martial artist, great actor. He’s very supportive to the community, so I feel like we lost somebody very important in the community.”
TMZSports.com
Jiu-Jitsu has turn into very fashionable over time — partly because of the rise of the UFC — however Gracie says Norris deserves a number of the credit score for bringing the artwork stateside.
“[Chuck’s] a very important guy in terms of being part of the initial movement about bringing jiu-jitsu to America.”
It isn’t simply the martial arts world mourning Norris within the wake of his loss of life … a few of Hollywood’s largest stars, together with Sylvester Stallone, have expressed condolences after the loss.
Relaxation in peace, Chuck.
