Mestre Batata

Mestre Batata, a lifelong practitioner of capoeira, hails from the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With over three decades of teaching experience, he achieved the esteemed title of Mestre in 1995.

Beginning his capoeira journey at the tender age of eight, Mestre Batata honed his skills through street rodas and dedicated training. He eventually joined Capoeira Besouro as a graduated student, becoming a catalyst for capoeira in his Rio community.

In 1991, Mestre Batata established the Associação do Grupo Capoeira Besouro Espírito Santo in Vitória, Espirito Santo. Here, he committed himself to uplifting at-risk youth, leveraging capoeira to steer them away from drugs and towards education. His tireless efforts and numerous social programs have touched the lives of countless Brazilian youth.

Today, Mestre Batata's legacy lives on through the more than thirty instructors, professors, contra-mestres, and mestres he has graduated. They continue his mission, impacting their communities with the values he instilled.

While residing in Los Angeles since 2002, Mestre Batata remains active with his Brazilian group and students. In California, he co-founded Ginga Arts, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, dedicated to empowering at-risk youth in Los Angeles and supporting capoeira programs for at-risk youth in Brazil.