Anibal Lobo was born in the Flamengo neighborhood of Rio De Janeiro. He was introduced to Jiu-Jitsu when he wa 15 years old by his childhood friend Rickson Gracie and Pedro Sauer. He began training with the legendary Helio Gracie at the Rio Branco Academy in 1977. The Academy later moved to the Humaita neighborhood where Anibal received his Blue Belt from Rickson Gracie in 1980. The Humaita Gracie
Academy continues to be one of Brazil's leading Jiu-Jitu centers. Anibal has many fond memories growing up in Brasil and around the Academia Gracie. He has known his wife, Hilda James, since they were both 14 years old, and their first kiss was behind Helio Gracie's piano. He also recalls going to school with his great friends and masters Rickson Gracie and Pedro Sauer.
In 1988 Anibal and Pedro Sauer moved to Los Angeles, following Rickon Gracie to United States with their mutual committment to help bring Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to America. He continued training with Rickson and later moved to Provo, Utah to teach with Pedro Sauer representing the Rickon Gracie Association. In 1998, at the first Rickson gracie International Competition, Anibal was presented with a special award by Rickson Gracie at a cermony honoring his important role in the development of Jiu Jitsu. He began representing the Pedro Sauer Association in 2000 - teaching classes in Salinas, South Central Los Angeles, and various other locations throughout California. He received his Black Belt from Pedro Sauer in 2007. Today Anibal is a 2nd degree black belt under Masters Pedro Sauer and Rickson Gracie
Anibal's goal is to inspire his students to develop an exceptional grasp of the techniques and traditions of Jiu-jitsu and achieve a higher level of skills and self-confidence that will enrich their lives both on and off the mat. Professor Anibal's focus is not only on teaching his students the kind of skills that will be important to them in Jiu Jitsu competitions, but also to help them develop the practical self-defense skills that form a curcial foundation of Graice Jiu Jitsu and are essential for everyday life. Anibal lives by his grandfather's advice, "You can count the days of your life or you can make every day count." He adds that Jiu Jitsu teaches a person to be humble, to appreciate the value of other human beings, and to be a better person overall. He considers it his responsibility to help pass Jiu-Jitsu onto future generations.
