The city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil paid a unique homage to martial arts Wednesday by inaugurating a “walk of fame” featuring 80 plaques and squares commemorating the nation’s greatest martial artists and combat sports athletes.
Conceived of by city councilor Marcelo Arar, himself a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, the walk honors numerous BJJ stars including the late Helio and Carlos Gracie, as well as judo founder Jigoro Kano, capoeira’s Mestre Pastinha, hall of fame boxer Eder Jofre and MMA legends like Anderson Silva. Arar said the plan is to add 10 new names to the walk every year.
This article first appeared at Black Belt Magazine

