Career
Born in Cannes, France, George originally came to Brazil on a vacation in 1949 and did not return. A trained judoka, he went to the jiu-jitsu school of Carlos Gracie, but left it after some time due to differences with the Gracie family. They taught very little throwing claiming that it was less useful than groundfighting, while Mehdi believed that they did so because they did not know how to throw.
He then traveled to Japan to train in the Kodokan school in 1952.
He actually had already met Matsumoto in Brazil, where Yasuichi had seen him do judo while on a tour of the world. He provided Mehdi with tuition room and board and spending money for 5 years.
Additionally Mehdi trained at the Kodokan and Chuo University. Georges spent a total of 10 years in Japan and taught Judo in a high school in Japan, probably the first non Japanese to do southern
Mehdi is currently a 9th dan in Judo.
Mehdi once said "judo is for intelligent people", and regards the Gracie family as "liars" for claiming Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a separate art from judo. Mehdi was referred to as the best judoka in Brazil, whom the Gracie family refused to face in competition. This was after the loss of George Gracie to Euclydes Hatem fearing that it might have a bad effect on their growing reputation.
George was the Brazilian champ for seven years straight.
He competed in the 5th world championships. At the age of 32 he was already a 4th dan in Judo.
By age 32 he was a 4th daughter George was a witness to the Kimura-Gracie match and Helio"s subsequent hospitalization, He states that, unlike what the Gracie side claimed, Kimura was no giant, but about 5"6 and 185 lbs.
Additionally he thinks the fight was worked or choreographed to a point, with Kimura intentionally allowing Hélio to fight for minutes before finishing him
He has trained numerous individuals including Henrique Machado.
George"s students included Mario Sperry, Rickson Gracie, and Sylvio Behring. He is fluent in French, English, Japanese, and Portuguese.
