Á beltaafhendingu í Renzo Gracie Academy 30. júní sl. hélt John Danaher ansi magnaða ræðu um Renzo Gracie. Hér eru linkar inn á hana á YouTube en ég læt líka útskrift fylgja með. Á undan þessu hafði farið fram beltaafhending sem þið getið skoðað líka ef þið viljið. Þið finnið þetta undir “Renzo Gracie Academy 2009 Promotion Night” á YouTube og þetta eru 5 video alls. En ræða John Danaher er á video 4 og 5 (IV og V).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B96LVssjZjs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMWPn4mh-50

Hér er ræðan í textaformi:

There is nothing more exciting than living in a time of revolution. We here at Renzo Gracie Academy are beneficiaries of the greatest revolution in martial arts in the last thousand years - the best martial arts revolution. As members of this academy, as martial artists, we're witnesses, and undoubtedly linked [?], to this revolution.
The driving force behind this revolution of course is the Gracie family, and the most recognized and most courageous and most charismatic is Renzo Gracie. The incredible rise in mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from an obscure and misunderstood fringe activity into the fastest growing sport in the nation has been massively influenced by the work and industry of our teacher, mentor, and his extended family.
Looking around you now, you see the fruits of that revolution. The New York City academy is one of the largest in the nation, and Renzo's new academy in Holmdale, NJ is twice the size of this one. Renzo has affiliates across the country, and around the world.

In the midst of this great success, it's easy to forget the effort and hardship that had to be endured in order to get us to our present situation. Yet to do so would be to miss some of the essential reasons why, I believe, we owe so much to Renzo Gracie. Renzo arrived in New York City in 1995. The American martial arts scene was entering the grappling revolution due to the great success or Royce Gracie in the UFC and Renzo Gracie in the WCC. The state of mixed martial arts, or just martial arts in general in America, was once politely described to me by Renzo as primitive. A more accurate description would be that it was a complete and utter fucking disaster. Most Americans thought that a real fight would look like a mix between a boxing match and a Bruce Lee movie. The martial arts scene was dominated by talk of occult powers, internal energy, death touches, and ninjas.

A look at history reveals one simple fact: revolutions are won by force, not by words. The revolution that Renzo brought with him was no different. Renzo had to take on a city of skeptics and non-believers. In doing so, he left a trail of broken arms, broken legs, and broken egos wherever he went.
[Renzo: "but i made great friends ..." ... laughter ... inaudible ..] began with a small but dedicated group of students and began the business of setting up a permanent academy in our great city. You must remember that the situation for beginning students in 1995 was very different than it is today. Nowadays, due to the popularity of mixed martial arts, even beginners come to the academy knowing quite a bit about Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts in general.

Renzo was a Jiu Jitsu champion in the finest school in the world at that time. Having him come to New York City to teach a small group of complete beginners was rather like having Albert Einstein quit Princeton University to come and teach third grade math to the special ed students [laughter ... inaudible].
In those early days, Renzo had only two kinds of students: morons, and lunatics. I was considered special, because I was both at the same time. For years, Renzo taught seven days a week to some of the most ungifted, uncorrdinated, and unknowledgable students in the world. He drove long distances every day to teach. After teaching, he would gratefully prove his skills against steroided large body builders, angry wrestlers, and kung fu freaks. He did all of this day in, day out, often while facing the pressure of high profile international mixed martial arts fights. In all this time, I never once heard Renzo complain. On the contrary, he bore that heavy, heavy burden with a perpetual laugh and smile. Renzo, when I look back on those early times, it's impossible for me to see you as anything less than a hero and an inspiration.
In time, those students grew in number and skill. Now, the Renzo Gracie alumni include UFC champions, Abu Dhabi grappling champions, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu world champions. We boast the largest membership of any Jiu Jitsu club in the nation. In the first few months of operation, Renzo's new school in New Jersey already has nearly 200 students and is expected to outgrow even the New York City academy.

Renzo's progress from his roots as a Jiu Jitsu fighter, to the creator of a framework of Jiu Jitsu instruction and camaraderie that reaches out to, and improves the lives of, so many New Yorkers from every social, ethnic, and religious background. I've often said, the world is full of great fighters, great teachers, great motivators, great diplomats, and great role models. I feel we are blessed to know and learn from the only person who is all of those things in one man. In building his success, Renzo has come to realize, more than anyone else I know, the American dream.

He came here with nothing but talent, drive, and charisma, and in the face of numerous obstacles and difficulties, he has enriched his family, his students, and the entire martial arts world. He has made himself into a Jiu Jitsu and MMA icon, recognized and revered throughout the world.

Renzo, you came here to teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but the greatest lesson you taught us was your belief in American optimism and the American dream. For this, all of us here are eternally in your debt. Thank you.