Carlos Maia is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt graduated in Gracie Barra Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil under eyes of Master Carlos Gracie Junior.
Carlos started to train BJJ when he was 12 years old and he meet Carlos Augusto da Silva, black belt under Reylson Gracie.
Begin with competitions in 1990, when he was 13 and get the gold medal in the traditional competition Atlantico Sul, in that time, organized for kids and teenagers.
In the end of 1993 he meet Master Carlos Gracie Junior and started to train in Gracie Barra.
Since then Carlos collect medals from the biggest events of Bjj in Brazil. Including the BRAZILIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 1995, BRAZILIAN NATIONAL TEAM 97, with the Gracie Barra Team and a 2nd place (Silver Medal) in the FIRST MUNDIAL – WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 96. (cbjj.com.br)
Carlos Maia start to dedicate his life to be a BJJ instructor still young when he was 19 and get the purple belt from Master Carlos Gracie Junior.
What begin as a little group of friends on his neighborhood became a Club when Maia established the GRACIE BARRA FREGUESIA, in Jacarepagua, west side of Rio de Janeiro. In the same time Carlos was one of the Instructors in the main Gracie Barra, the school where he build his style of fighting and where he learned from BJJ legends as Master Carlos Gracie Jr, Renzo Gracie, Ralph Gracie, Ryan Gracie, Roberto Roleta Magalhaes, Roberto Gordo Correa, Alexandre Soca, Helio Soneca Moreira, Mauricio Tinguinha, Eduardo Galvao, Nino Elvis Schembri, Marcio Feitosa, Ricardo Big Dog Almeida, Roger Gracie, Lucio Lagarto Rodrigues and many other champions.
After few years dedicated to teach and out of competitions, Maia came back in 2008 to the arena winning the Rio de Janeiro State Championship and after that he didn’t stop anymore.
International Masters Championship Finalist for two years consecutives, won by submission in 2008 and lose for two points in 2009 getting the silver medal in this competition, that is one of the most respected events at the country where BJJ was born. (ibjjf.org)
In January 2010, Maia won the European Championship in Lisboa, on Lightweight Masters Division and moved to Slovenia to spread the Brazilian Art and continue his legacy of teaching and fighting.
Head Instructor of Gracie Barra Slovenia, Carlos prepares professional fighters and amateur students for competitions introducing the gentle art and the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Lifestyle.