CONDE KOMA

Mitsuyo Maede learned Judo from Tsunejiro Tomita, one of the "Four Kings" of Kodokan Judo. In the early part of the 20th Century he travelled throughout the Americas presenting Kodokan Judo in public demonstrations, sporting contests, and no-holds-barred challenge matches. In 1917 he moved to Belem do Para, Brazil, where he began teaching a style of Judo informed by his years as a fighter and competitor. Among his students was the young Carlos Gracie. When the Gracie family moved from Belem do Para to Rio de Janeiro Carlos continued his training by teaching his brothers, notably his youngest brother Helio. The style that they developed, informed by Maeda's teachings and their own experience as competitors and fighters, became the style we now know as Gracie or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

From Wikipedia:
"[10th dan Judoka Kyzuo] Mifune also states that Maeda was one of the most vigorous promoters of judo, although not by teaching the art, instead generating recognition of judo through his many combats with contenders from other disciplines. Maeda treated experienced and inexperienced students alike, throwing them as if in real combat. He reasoned that this behavior was a measure of respect towards his students, but it was often misunderstood and frightened many youngsters, who would abandon him in favor of other professors."

Conde Koma - literally Count Combat - a nickname bought and paid for with blood and sweat in the ring. The undisputed godfather of BJJ. 

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