SARACURU BIOGRAPHY, GRUPO CAPOEIRA BRASIL, MESTRE PAULINHO SABIA
GRUPO CAPOEIRA BRASIL, MESTRE PAULINHO SABIA
Born a native of Paris, France, Saracuru is world-renowned for his passion and respect for the art of Capoeira. He has dedicated over twenty years of his life to this historic antique art. Through his travels, he has been able to touch many lives, both adults and youth, provide his professional ethic and expertise as a Capoeirista. He is also fluent in French, Portuguese and English.
H started training Capoeira in France at the early age of thirteen, where he followed an interest in breakdance band kickboxing which led him to pursue Capoeira.
In 2006, his journey became recognized! He won the World Capoeira Capu Championship amongst many of the best players worldwide. Saracuru also became more fluent in Portuguese, which expanded his horizon and allowed additional growth in the realm of the sport. In 2010, he traveled to the United States to explore his craft. Eventually, by 2011 he began to lead his own school in Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) where he redesigned his model and goals as a teacher. His discipline as a teacher of Capoeira is profound and he expects and receives the same result from his students. His set of values as a Professor is set at a high bar, so it is only suggested to pursue his class if you are ready to dedicate the time and consistency that it takes to better yourself.
In 2011, he started increasing his community efforts and invited people to come to share the energy of the Roda at the infamous DTLA Artwalk, at its genesis. This community event started at 4th and Main, in the Medallion and has been continuous for almost a decade now! He went on to win other competitions and continued to develop his craft by becoming more culturally versed through his travels to many great countries. He humbly arrived at every event that invited him, sometimes not even knowing how he would manage. He has always made time to put his art first. This is why he is so well rounded and respected in the Capoeira community, other than being a great capoeirista in general. His efforts were tireless over the past decade, starting his leadership in the Alexandria King Eddy and Palm Court Ballrooms at a time prior to the new DTLA gentrification. It was tough to keep a DTLA location but he managed to weather the storm and founded his group, GCB Capoeira DTLA.
In 2013, Saracuru managed to bring home another title at a Seattle Unidos Pela Capoeira competition. He also started a trade of service program with TapouT Gym in DTLA. The training became more intense and again, he redesigned his model for improvement all around. The gym closed and the refocused location became an Arts & Community space called ArtShare LA in 2013, as well. ArtShare became the home base for some time, though @CapoeiraDTLA has always been a mobile training source in Downtown LA, utilizing any suitable space necessary. Saracuru also holds classes periodically at Downtown Dance & Movement, various Chinatown locations (one of which coincidentally is said to be Bruce Lee’s former Dojo)! Saracuru and his students have participated in the growth of DTLA for the past ten years. LA Metro Arts at Union Station has also graciously sponsored The Capoeira Exchange, an event that was pioneered by Saracuru and one of his close friends and native of Los Angeles, Muito Tempo, of Capoeira Batuque Pasadena. This was huge in the movement to evolve and unite Capoeira Groups all over Los Angeles. Though this event started in Paris, France, many other teachers have adapted a ‘Capoeira Exchange’ event by uniting their local schools with the freedom of movement to play in Capoeira Rodas without the judgment of what group a player is with or what cord level. The idea is just to play with good intentions and have fun with peers creating an undeniably meshed, cultural experience with the respect of learning from invited guests who come all over the world to educate and share an exchange of knowledge with the Los Angeles community.
In continuing his journey, Saracuru graduated to Professor in 2016, receiving his purple cord in Brazil was a great accomplishment for him.
2019 believe it or not, he Brough home the title GCB World Champion in Rio de Janeiro Brazil he is also the 1st GCB World Champion and the first non-Brazilian champion. Professor Saracuru is also known for his skills in Capoeira music. His voice and ability to lead a roda is well respected by many who came before him. His musical journey is in the making, but as good as he is he remains humble. He says, “When the time is right and when it is my time for the music, I will pursue it. For now, I’m focused on growing my work. Before to think you can write Capoeira music, you really need to know about Capoeira. Right now I’m still learning, but soon more of my music will come to the rodas.”
In 2020, Saracuru is preparing to lead more Rodas in DTLA and surrounding areas and reimplementing the Capoeira DTLA kids program and summer camp activities, with the help of his students. He will also continue private training both in-person and online by request. His travels are booked and solid for the majority of the year but do not hesitate to reach out to his team at capoeiradtla@gmail.com for further inquiries.
“Quando a Capoeira me chama, eu vou”
Notes:
- 2006 World Capoeira Capu Champion – Bilbao SPAIN
- 2013 Unidos pela Capoeira Champion – Seattle
- 2016 Graduated to Professor Purple corda Niterio Rio De Janeiro BRAZIL
- 2019 – Grupo Capoeira Brasil World Champion Rio De Janeiro BRAZIL
- Fluent in English/Portuguese/French