During the formative years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Stambowsky was notable for revolutionizing the closed guard, triangles, and leglock tactics.[13] He was named by MMA hall-of-famer Rickson Gracie as one of the original Brazilian competitors to popularize the concept of the now iconic triangle choke.[14] Acclaimed as an influential mentor and coach,[15] he has been credited by world champion Renzo Gracie for practicing "one of the most beautiful jiu jitsu [styles] ever seen."[16]
Athletic achievements
In 1980, Stambowsky was selected to join a group of top fighters that the Brazilian government planned to send to the Olympic Games in Moscow and the Pan American Games in the United States. Although a dispute involving sponsors prevented the team from traveling to the Olympics, Stambowsky went on to win two gold medals in national championship competitions in 1981 and 1985.
He won a bronze medal in a world championship competition, representing Brazil among 37 countries at the 1985 Maccabiah Games in Israel.[17][18][19]
Personal life
Marcio was born to a Holocaust survivor mother and a Russian father who later emigrated to Brazil. He is the highest ranking Jewish BJJ practitioner. Keeping close ties with the Gracies,[20]
Stambowsky eventually married Carla Gracie, daughter of Robson Gracie.[21] In addition to his son Neiman, he has one daughter, Deborah Gracie Stambowsky, who, together with Kyra Gracie, is one of only two women in the Gracie family to have attained the rank of black belt.[22] Stambowsky moved his family from Brazil to the United States in 2007. He is the founder of Gracie Sports USA and Team Macarra BJJ, based in Norwalk, Connecticut.[23][24]
^Borges, Andre. "Nickname: Macarrao". BJJ Heroes. Retrieved June 22, 2017. meaning spaghetti, the name comes from Marcio's surfing days, and in reality it was his older brother's nickname; [he] is also often called Macarra which is short for Macarrão
^Sodré, Luciano, ed. (June 5, 2015). "Cesário participa de seminário de Jiu-Jitsu". Brazilian Times (in Portuguese). Somerville, MA: Paiva, Edirson. Retrieved June 1, 2017. Entre suas principais conquistas estão: Campeão do AABB (1981 faixa preta absoluto), Campeão Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (1985 – Judô), Medalha de Bronze nos Jogos da Macabíada (1985 – Judô)
^Valuzzo, Rocco (August 13, 2015). "Stambowsky Shares Passion for Jiu Jitsu". The Weston Forum. Weston, Connecticut. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2017. the highest ranking instructor in New England
^Stout, Warren (April 11, 2013). "2012 Renzo Gracie Pittsburgh Jiu Jitsu Recap". Stout Training. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Stambowsky, the highest belt-ranking instructor teaching in the Northeast
^Nagel, Kyle (July 4, 2014). "Flight Path: Neiman Gracie Family Tradition". MMA Junkie. New York. Retrieved June 1, 2017. Marcio Stambowsky is a Brazilian who started training in the 1970s and was one of the 'Famous Five'
^Trost, Alex; Kravetsky, Vadim (August 26, 2013). 100 of the Best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fighters of All Time. Booktango. p. 6 (Marcio Macarrao Stambowsky). ISBN978-1492246299.
^Pavao, Felipe (xdevs) (July 17, 2010). Trindade, Ivan (ed.). "Master of the Guillotine Guard". Gracie Magazine. New York. Retrieved June 1, 2017. Macarrão was one of the greatest Jiu-Jitsu competitors of the 1970's and 80's, famous for his notorious leg game.
^Sodré, Luciano, ed. (June 5, 2015). "Cesário participa de seminário de Jiu-Jitsu". Brazilian Times (in Portuguese). Somerville, MA: Paiva, Edirson. Retrieved June 1, 2017. um dos principais competidores da década de 80
^Gracie, Kroyler (April 27, 2016). "Macarrao's Influence on Me and My Jiu Jitsu". Kyoler Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2017. he was this amazing guard guy who revolutionized the closed guard, triangles, and leg locks
^Gracie, Rickson (July 22, 2014). Origins of Triangle Choke, Rickson Gracie Interview [Joe Rogan Experience, Episode 524] (video, timestamp 2:09:32). Los Angeles: Joe Rogan. Retrieved February 9, 2017. What is the origin of the triangle? The application of the triangle in my life started with watching guys like Marcio Macarrao.
^Gracie, Kroyler (April 27, 2016). "Macarrao's Influence on Me and My Jiu Jitsu". Kyoler Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2017. this was going to be the guy that takes my Jiu-Jitsu to the next level
^Gracie, Renzo (July 17, 2010). Marcio Coral Belt Ceremony (video, timestamp 2:25). New York. Retrieved May 30, 2017. most beautiful Jiu Jitsu
^Gracie, Reila (2015). Carlos Gracie the Creator of a Fighting Dynasty (in Portuguese). RG Art Publishing LLC. p. 483. ISBN978-0578150109. O vencedor disputaria a final com Márcio Stambowsky, faixa preta de Rolls, que se encontrava em ótima forma. Como já o havia vencido na academia, Rickson esperava que Márcio lhe desse a vitória, mas este deixou a decisão por conta de seu professor: 'O que Rolls decidir eu faço.'
^Valuzzo, Rocco (August 13, 2015). "Stambowsky Shares Passion for Jiu Jitsu". The Weston Forum. Weston, Connecticut. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2017. Stambowsky began competing in jiu-jitsu tournaments in his native country in 1977 and also at the Maccabiah Games in Israel in 1985 before retiring from competition in 1993. Two years later he coached at the Pan American Games in Argentina.
^Orzechowski, Brett (August 19, 2007). "Training for MMA a Unique Endeavor". New Haven Register. New Haven, Connecticut. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2017. Stambowsky a member of the Gracie family
^Nagel, Kyle (July 4, 2014). "Flight Path: Neiman Gracie Family Tradition". MMA Junkie. New York. Retrieved June 22, 2017. He met Neiman's mother, Carla Gracie, while staying close to the family.
^Borges, Andre (23 May 2016). "Deborah Gracie Stambowsky Biography". BJJ Heroes. Retrieved June 22, 2017. one of only two women in the Gracie family to have reached the rank of black belt (the other being Kyra Gracie)
