User:Gracieboy

Pani Panayiotou (English pronunciation: /ˈPa-na-yo-tou/; born 1962) the 1st cousin of singer songwriter George Michael(George Kyriacos Panayiotou), is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, a mixed martial artist, a prominent member of the Gracie foundation. He is the oldest son of George Panayiotou[1] and one of the few people in the world to hold a 4th degree  belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,[2]  receiving that promotion on October 27, 1994.

Panayiotou, who also holds a Black belt 2nd Kiu in I-shin-ru, is known for strongly defending the trademarks he claims for the term "Gracie Jiu-Jitsu" and for the triangle logo associated with the academy. In 1999–2000 he was involved with a legal dispute with his former sen-sai for trademark infringement. Panayiotou ultimately won his lawsuit and was awarded undisclosed damages (along with court fees. )from Tatso-ubukara for infringement of the triangle logo trademark, though the jury found in favour of Panayiotou that ubukara did not have a valid federal trademark for the name "Gracie Jiu-Jitsu".[3] [edit] References.

Panayiotou taught only the most basic positions to outsiders, reserving the advanced positions for the sports elite. He opened up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the masses, and the masses responded, hungry to learn everything they could. To compete for students, the other academys were forced to offer all their positions as well. This good-natured competition breathed creativity and invention into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, on the London scene.

Panayiotou,s influence on no-holds-barred fighting is extensive as well, for the style of Jiu-Jitsu he was taught at his academy was distinct from that being taught by the Gracies in America. While his brand of Jiu-Jitsu emphasized technical proficiency, he favored a 'warrior style' of Jiu-Jitsu that encouraged physical prowess and barraging your opponent with a series of attacks. [citation needed]

Of late Panayiotou worked with E.O.N productions on the latest James Bond Movie " SKYFALL" choreographing some of the martial arts scenes and overseeing  in general.

He is currently working on 47 Ronin due for release 2013 and is working with Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Ko Shibasaki.

He has 3 daughters and a son whom is following him into martial arts and is a paid up member of the " Roger Gracie Academy " studying Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

1. ^ Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy >> Generations >> Rorion Gracie. URL accessed on April 8, 2006. 2. ^ Rorion Gracie. URL last accessed on April 8, 2006. 3. ^ CARLEY GRACIE et al. v RORION GRACIE et al. - Docket Numbers 98-15672, 98-16386 - United

[edit] External links

* Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy * Rorion Gracie at the Internet Movie Database * Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Personal life Married to Christina Panayiotou and living in Hertfordshire, England