A capoeira competition that combines all different styles of capoeira, and players from all groups, has never been seen. Red Bull, one of the world's largest international brands, took on this challenge. Their goal was to show the world the unique and beautiful martial art. Through a fresh and cool format, they managed to create an event while respecting the traditions and history of old capoeira masters.
During the competition each participant was asked to demonstrate their skill in each of the three main styles of capoeira: Toque de Dentro (Angola), Toque de Iúna (Regional) and Toque São Bento Grande Regional (Contemporary). After four selectives (Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Bahia and Mundo), a list of 16 finalists was chosen. Among the finalists were Contra Mestre Mascara and Contra Mestre Guaxini. Débora "Perolla" Santos was the only woman to reach the finals and she was also the youngest participant.
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Members of the jury were divided into sections corresponding to each style of capoeira. Mestre Nenel and Mestre Itapuã represented Capoeira Regional. Mestre Jogo de Dentro and Mestre Virgílio represented Capoeira Angola. And Mestre Paulinho Sabiá and Mestre Capixaba represented Capoeira Contemporânea. Among additional honorable guests at the event were Mestre João Grande and Brazilian historian Jair Moura.
The final competition took place in the beautiful neighborhood of Salvador, on the beach near the legendary Farrol da Barra lighthouse. Participants had to play a 40-second game that was randomly chosen with the spin of an oversized pandeiro. At the end the winner was chosen: Ratto from Salvador became the world's most complete capoeirista. As the prize he won three days at Mestre João Grande's Academy in New York, USA.
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It's such an honor to become the first capoeira champion – I will never forget it, even in 20 years.
Contra-Mestre Mascara, well-known in the Cordão de Ouro group, was among the 16 finalists. He shared some of his thoughts about the event with Jogo Bonito while he was in Moscow.
"I found out about the competition from my student Lilian, she sent me the link in Whatsapp", Mascara said.
"I found out about the competition from my student Lilian, she sent me the link in Whatsapp", Mascara said.
And you just decided to participate? What was your goal?
Yes. I thought, "why not? " I like to represent my school, I like to learn something new and I also wanted to see what my level is compared to others. My goal was very simple – to have fun, meet new friends and gain some new experience.
How did you prepare for the competition?
The hardest part was working on my own psychology. I understand that there is no perfect capoeirista in the world, as they were trying to find one in the Red Bull competition, but there is a perfect world that is created and exists for capoeiristas. And I just wanted to have a decent place in it.
What is the most comfortable style for you?
Chameleon style, as he always finds a way out in any situation. I constantly work on a variety of movements that exists in capoeira. And I work on improving them. As Mestre Pastinha said: "Capoeira is everything that a mouth eats."
What was the most difficult for you in the competition?
To stay calm, restrain anxiety, and not to panic and control my nerves – this is a real task.
Were you awarded as a finalist?
No. The idea of the competition was to find the most advanced capoeirista and only one could win. The champion is going to New York to Mestre João Grande's Academy. I was just extremely happy and honored to have spent a whole week in a company of famous and talented capoeristas. This is priceless!
What did you gain from the competition?
An amazing experience, knowledge, and new friends. I think we should have more events like this, they may have a good influence on the capoeira community. Participation in the Red Bull Paranauê helped me to expand my views on some things and change my perception of many things I knew before.
Yes. I thought, "why not? " I like to represent my school, I like to learn something new and I also wanted to see what my level is compared to others. My goal was very simple – to have fun, meet new friends and gain some new experience.
How did you prepare for the competition?
The hardest part was working on my own psychology. I understand that there is no perfect capoeirista in the world, as they were trying to find one in the Red Bull competition, but there is a perfect world that is created and exists for capoeiristas. And I just wanted to have a decent place in it.
What is the most comfortable style for you?
Chameleon style, as he always finds a way out in any situation. I constantly work on a variety of movements that exists in capoeira. And I work on improving them. As Mestre Pastinha said: "Capoeira is everything that a mouth eats."
What was the most difficult for you in the competition?
To stay calm, restrain anxiety, and not to panic and control my nerves – this is a real task.
Were you awarded as a finalist?
No. The idea of the competition was to find the most advanced capoeirista and only one could win. The champion is going to New York to Mestre João Grande's Academy. I was just extremely happy and honored to have spent a whole week in a company of famous and talented capoeristas. This is priceless!
What did you gain from the competition?
An amazing experience, knowledge, and new friends. I think we should have more events like this, they may have a good influence on the capoeira community. Participation in the Red Bull Paranauê helped me to expand my views on some things and change my perception of many things I knew before.
Credits: Fabio Piva/Red Bull Content Pool
