WHAT IS ZR?

Zé Radiola Jiu Jitsu

José Olimpio, commonly known as “Zé Radiola”, is a former professional surfer who became a pioneering figure for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the state of Pernambuco – Brazil, having developed the most fruitful grappling academy in the region. A black belt under Carlos Gracie Junior, Ze Radiola became the leader of the Gracie Barra Pernambuco academy from which he spawned numerous jiu jitsu standouts including Braulio Estima, Victor Estima and Otavio Sousa. In 2016 Radiola left Gracie Barra to form his own academy: ZR Team.

Full Name: José Olímpio da Rocha

Nickname: “Ze Radiola”,

the word Zé is a short way of saying José, while Radiola means radio-gramophone. The name is associated with Olimpío because of a defect he has in his arm, which makes it bent in an awkward angle, this happened due to an accident Jose had as a child which never healed properly. The nickname started because people believed the arm resembled the arm (tonearm) of a gramophone.

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie> Carlos Gracie Junior > José Olimpio

ZR TEAM WORCESTER is just one of many affiliated jiujitsu academies in the UK, we maintain a strong relationship with the ZR network and regularly host seminars with other world class coaches.