Always a fan of martial arts, I first started playing capoeira on the beach with friends after watching the film Only the Strong, starring Mestre Amen (Joselito Santo) and Mark Dacosas. That was in 1996 and two years later Mestre Namorado and Mestre Canhao arrived in my hometown of Albufeira and I began to train with them. Since this time I have been privileged to travel to Brazil and train with various capoeira masters, attending workshops in Brazil, Portugal and England. In 2009 I was awarded the belt of Monitor in Brazil.
I begun teaching in 2002 and in 2003 I arrived in London to establish Capoeira Academy UK. The Academy now has 70 students and we have travelled to Brazil, Portugal, France and Spain, attending batizados, workshops and taking part in competitions. In 2009 my students won a total of 11 medals at the Muzenza European Championship in Spain and the Muzenza International Championship in Brazil.
I am passionate about the positive effects that capoeira can have on children and young people. Consequently, in addition to running adult classes, I have taught capoeira to children at schools in London for the last five years. I have been CRB checked and I am a qualified first aider. In addition, I hold Level 3 Personal Trainer and Level 2 Gym Instructor qualifications.
