Chuvisquinho entered his first Capoeira roda in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Even before he was born, he played Capoeira while his mother, who also practiced Capoeira, was expecting him. He was brought into this world already as a Capoeirista! The rhythms, movements, stories, and songs of Capoeira were woven into Chuvisquinho’s being. He began practicing Capoeira movements around the same time he was learning to walk, and to this day, he continues to perfect and refine the work and mission that he started as a child.
In September of 1986, at the age of seven, Chuvisquinho received his first Capoeira rank, ‘cordel.’ Since that day, he has dreamed of reaching the limits and becoming a Capoeira Mestre. In his early teens, he began teaching and envisioned having his own Capoeira school one day.
In September of 1997, Chuvisquinho immigrated to the United States. Adjusting to life in a new country was challenging, but it did not weaken his passion for Capoeira. Alongside his father, following in his family’s footsteps, Chuvisquinho taught Capoeira in various parts of Massachusetts. Even while still in high school, he gathered students in the parks of East Boston with the mission to share his passion for Capoeira with anyone willing to try.
After many years of training and eighteen years after receiving his first cord, in October of 2004, Chuvisquinho was awarded the rank of Contramestre in Capoeira by his Mestre. This significant event took place in the presence of many renowned Capoeira Mestres.
In April of 2006, Chuvisquinho embarked on his own journey with his students in the Capoeira world. He is responsible for launching SINHA CAPOEIRA and its ideology of being not just another Capoeira group but a Capoeira family. Today, Sinha Capoeira continues to grow stronger year after year. The seed that was planted has grown into a tree from which more and more fruit will be collected in the future.
“I have chosen to walk the path towards mastering myself. I am not just talking about the part of me that does Capoeira, but all aspects of my life. For me, Capoeira is a tool that I use to become healthier, stronger, smarter, happier, more coordinated, more playful, more self-aware, and more expressive. In life, the key to triumph is not having the fear of starting over.” – Chuvisquinho
Chuvisquinho, the Founder and Artistic Director of Sinha Capoeira, is grateful to everyone who has joined Sinha Capoeira and helped the group grow stronger as a family. With thousands of people introduced to this art form by him and many students spread all over the world, his dream has come true 30 years later. On December 7th, 2014, in the presence of his grandfather in Capoeira, Grao Mestre Dunga, and many other honorable guests, Chuvisquinho received his Mestre cord, solidifying his mastery in Capoeira.