INTERVIEW with FLAVIO BEHRING BC: How Did You Start Training? FB: I
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INTERVIEW WITH FLAVIO BEHRING BC: How did you start training? FB: I started at age 10 with Hélio Gracie. Individual instruction was taught because at that time it was the only type of class available. The main objective was the defence staff, which was more productive that way. With groups, the time required would be greater. With these individual lessons of 30 minutes it was possible in 36 lessons to empower the individual to defend himself against various injuries. I had a hard time because of an allergic reaction to the mat that was covered by a canvas cloth accumulating impurities that attacked my asthma, and sometimes I even wanted to go to class in Jiu Jitsu. In 1951 there was an incident that impressed me. I had a problem with an older boy at school who hit me. That was humiliating for me because the kids picked on me and questioned if I really knew Jiu Jitsu? Although I had trained, I have not had the psychological safety needed to respond and it reflected on my life. My father knew and since he was friends with Hélio Gracie, he asked him to help. I studied in Botafogo and Hélio picked me up out of the college. He was a celebrity and an immediate flood of children surrounded him. Some colleagues have come to tell me: "Hélio Gracie's there, and is looking for you!" It was then that everyone in the school was astonished because they did not understand how I was now wanted by the "great" Hélio Gracie in person! By the time I met him he was talking to the boys and saying he was looking for me, I was his student and was not allowed to hit anyone. It was crucial to stop the comments at the college and gave me great motivation. He hugged me and went to my house. He asked me to lunch and then spent the day Gracie Academy in Rio Branco. Arriving there I was impressed with the size of the Academy! He came to me and said I could not stop training. Moreover, said he wanted me to be trained as a teacher at the Gracie Academy because he needed people with my qualities. He called João Alberto Barreto, who was then 16 years and now an instructor at the Academy and introducing me said, "I want you to prepare to be a good teacher and a champion." Immediately I identified with him and it was a big step in my journey in Jiu Jitsu because as I had the afternoons off, went to Academy and attended all the classes that John Albert gave. Flavio Behring 17 years old being thrown by Hélio Gracie. Photo taken in 1955 at the home of Gracie in Teresopolis. This photo is part of the book of Hélio Gracie. BC: The trains were only with John Albert? FB: I was privileged, because even though she spent most of his time with John Albert, who was a genius in the art of teaching, and about half the helium itself called me to evaluate myself or help in any class. In addition, other teachers of the Academy who were none other than Carlson Gracie, Robson Gracie, Hélio Vígio and Armando Wriedt acquired an affection for me by being the youngest. Carlson was the common call me to test some of his students against me. As there were very few competitions external, internal competitions were promoted in order to motivate us. BC: How do you started teaching? FB: When I was about 17 years (1955), João Alberto had to have knee surgery which was very traumatic at the time. Since he had to be away several months, he taught me to be his replacement. I had an attitude and methodology very similar to John Albert and the students really enjoyed my lessons, because they were already accustomed to John Albert. Moreover, as I trained all day, I got a good physique and at 17 I was almost 5’9” and weighed 198 lbs. Picture taken around 1954. BC: Mr. and joined in a challenge of MMA? FB: Constantly fighters and thugs came in defiance of the Hélio Gracie Academy to promote themselves. He selected a student and where the fighter won, he acquired the right to face him. Of course there were some who never got through. However my first fight was at age 14 and for me, consisted of more striking. One day Carlos Gracie called me and asked me to pick up the kimono and said that we were going out. We continued to the YMCA which was at the Castle. I was thinking it was another of the many statements that we made. I was always asked to demonstrate self defense techniques with Joao Alberto Barreto and ended up specializing in it too. It was only there that I realized that I would fight a challenge. This was quite common in the Gracie Academy. The top fighters and trainers had to constantly be prepared and to test this; the challengers were not notified in advance. My opponent was a student of Grand Master Fadda, and he was about 20 years old. In addition, he was also a black belt in judo. The fight was a boxing ring. Since the Gracie Academy was the most famous, everyone wanted to see someone beat the Gracie Jiu Jitsu. I remember well that my legs were trembling and I was pushed by John Albert into the ring. It was the first challenge for (me) that kid who had chickened out at school. I was in the ring along with Carlos Gracie, who was the judge, giving instructions and starting the fight. He started the fight and then I took a series of falls and at one point the opponent knocked me down and I froze. I immediately ran my hand behind his neck and despite not being able to go back, I could run the bottleneck. I shouted to Chris: "He's out!" Robson was responsible for sounding the bell and Carlos asked him to soar immediately. To my surprise, my opponent was quickly resuscitated and wanted to continue with another round, arguing that there was erased. It was decided then that the fight would continue. Again he knocked me down several times and again I froze in the same position. I went again with the same choke and tried to protect him, first with his chin, but the collar had entered and then he tried to lower his head. Again he went out and I looked around and Carlos who was very close. To my surprise, he whispered: "Squeeze !!!"( and he laughs). When the enemy began to drool over me, Ben had to stop the fight. He started having some seizures and was later revived. Finally, my arm was raised as the winner and there no more doubt from my opponent nor the public on the outcome of the fight. It was a milestone for me. When I got back to the locker room, all of the Academy were congratulating me and soon after Hélio Gracie arrived and with his characteristic style he said simply: "You were right!" Carlos also came after me and said, "Well done! When you fall into this situation, even shakes! Do not give up!" Some time after this fight, appeared a Judoka named Shimura (not to be confused with Kimura), challenging the Hélio Gracie. As he was not famous, Hélio said that had to fight with Carlson first. It was then that a late Carlos called me in the gym and went to the Globe and then writing in the newspaper "The Night." He issued a challenge that instead of facing the Carlson, he bet a sum of money that the Shimura would not even pass by me! The title of the matter was, "Young man, 14 years defies Shimura.” At the time of the fights had a great Jiu Jitsu highlighted in the press and the other day to get to school, everyone knew the challenge. Now that boy who had been picked on at school, was first approached by Hélio Gracie, then publicly challenged a Japanese fighter. For some reason, unfortunately the Japanese ended up not accepting the challenge. It was a big step in getting rid of all the insecurity I had. Mestre Flavio Behring was promoted to 9th degree red belt from his teacher Master Joao Alberto Barreto. BC: Were there other challenges? FB: At 17 I was studying at night and spending all day at the Academy. Training in MMA was part of everyday life, but until then I had not fought any challenge without rules. It was then that Hélio called and said I would face a Capoeirista who was at the Academy. Hélio told me to not hit him, just knock down and finish. The fight was very fast and he had no time to react, because I strangled him making tap. He rose and Hélio said, "Want more?" The nonconformist wanted to fight again and everything was repeated. I had already absorbed the principles of Gracie who preached that the fighter did not have to ask for time to prepare. The fighter of the Gracie Academy had to be always prepared for any day in any situation. BC: When you started was there already awareness of the superiority of the art of Jiu Jitsu? FB: When my father took me into the house of Hélio Gracie at 10 years old, the first thing that attracted me was a deep admiration for him. Hélio Gracie was already a man of middle age with a friendly character and ability to teach anyone quickly.