Geraldo Flores

Master Geraldo Flôres is a 9th-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu red belt. He comes from the non-Gracie lineage of Master Oswaldo Fadda and is widely recognized as one of the primary pioneers responsible for developing and spreading Jiu-Jitsu across the northern area of the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Early Life & Training Oddities
Channeling Aggression: At age 16 (in the early 1960s), Flôres was playing competitive soccer but struggled severely with his temper on the pitch. A teammate suggested he try Jiu-Jitsu to help control his angst and frustrations.

The Deported Master: His very first Jiu-Jitsu instructor was a Japanese master from the Budokan school. However, this training arrangement was cut short when it was discovered the master had entered Brazil illegally, resulting in his prompt deportation back to Japan.

Finding the Fadda Lineage: Already hooked on the benefits of the martial art, Flôres continued his journey by seeking out Heleno de Freitas (a student of Oswaldo Fadda) and later Aderbal Batista.

1960s Training Culture & The Black Belt Exam
3-Hour Sessions: Flôres describes 1960s BJJ classes as exhaustive, four-times-a-week, 3-hour sessions that focused heavily on character development. A typical class included extensive calisthenics, breakfalls, takedowns, ground drilling, live sparring, self-defense, and no-gi wrestling. Twice a month, the students would even sit down together to formally study the history of Jiu-Jitsu.

The Exam: Flôres earned his black belt in 1970. His rigorous promotional exam was overseen by a panel of legendary masters, including Oswaldo Fadda, Ivan Batista, Master Ovídio, and Aderbal Batista. The test required him to successfully conduct classes for both adults and children, alongside demonstrating mastery in self-defense, ground techniques, and no-gi fighting.

Coaching Legacy
Expanding Outside the City: Flôres established his academy in the Northwest region of Rio de Janeiro, consciously operating away from the glamorous, busy city center and South Side.

Developing Champions: He went on to become one of the most respected coaches produced by the Fadda lineage, directly helping to develop highly prominent BJJ figures such as Wendell Alexander (co-founder of Nova União), Sergio Bastos, and Ignácio Santos Silva.