Capoeira de Valor
Collective
Capoeira Australis is proud to be part of Capoeira de Valor, a global collective led by Mestre Cícero from Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
The Associação Cultural Capoeira de Valor is a non-profit organisation was officially founded in 2008 with a mission to preserve, promote and develop Capoeira and Afro-Brazilian culture. Through study, research and community partnerships, the Association works locally and internationally to keep these traditions alive.
From this strong base, Mestre Cícero coordinates the work of Coletivo Cultural Mestres de Capoeira de Valor — a group of highly respected Mestres including Mestre Joguinho, Mestre Biro, Mestre Ferpa, Mestre Rodrigo, Mestre Téo and Mestre Lu Pimenta — all of whom share a deep commitment to honouring the values of Capoeira and guiding the next generation of leaders.
The collective reaches across three continents, and all of us at Capoeira Australis are honoured to continue this legacy here in Australia. As part of Capoeira de Valor, we are connected not just by style, but by shared purpose, integrity, and deep respect for the roots of Capoeira.
Mestre China (pronounced SHEE-nah) is the supervisor and mentor of Capoeira Australis. His connection with Professor Ouriço began in 2010, during Capoeirando — an annual Capoeira event led by Cordão de Ouro in Bahia, Brazil.
Their friendship deepened in 2015, when Mestre China was invited to Perth as a guest for our annual Capoeira festival. It was during this visit that Ouriço and Mariana truly got to know his calm, genuine, and caring nature — qualities that have become a much-loved part of our community.
In 2019, Mestre China officially joined the Capoeira Australis team, bringing with him his deep experience, artistic skill, and thoughtful guidance. He has played a vital role in shaping the direction of our school ever since.
Based in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil, Mestre China began training Capoeira at the age of 13. He learned from several influential Mestres in the region and, in 2000, became affiliated with Cordão de Ouro under Mestre Penteado. Later, he came under the mentorship of Mestre Cícero, who had been following his journey from the early days. To this day, Mestre China continues to train and teach under Mestre Cícero as part of the Capoeira de Valor collective.
Mestre China continues to guide Capoeira Australis with his steady mentorship and support, especially in the development of Instrutor Ouriço. Each year, he travels to Perth for our Maré Cheia Capoeira Festival — the biggest Capoeira celebration in Western Australia — where he leads workshops and masterclasses, oversees student graduations, and strengthens our school’s connection to its roots in Brazil.
Born in Paraná, Mestre Cícero discovered Capoeira by chance as a teenager during a trip to the coast of São Paulo. What began as curiosity quickly became a lifelong calling. After his first class at Mestre Tarzan’s academy in Campinas, he never looked back.
He trained with passion and dedication, earning the title of Mestre 1º Grau, and began building a life entirely around Capoeira — competing, travelling, organising events, and continuously seeking knowledge. In 1987, he won the São Paulo state championship in the meio-pesado category, a sign of things to come.
Throughout his journey, Mestre Cícero trained with and learned from several renowned Mestres, including Mestre Tarzan and Mestre Suassuna, who played a key role in expanding his understanding of Capoeira. With Mestre Suassuna, he travelled to Rio de Janeiro and Bahia, where he met legendary figures such as Mestre João Pequeno, Mestre João Grande, Mestre Luís Medicina, and Mestre Jogo de Dentro. Mestre Suassuna invited him to join Cordão de Ouro, and for over three decades, Mestre Cícero taught under this banner, contributing to the group’s growth and recognition worldwide.
In 2021, Mestre Cícero and his long-time students — now also Mestres — chose to take a new direction that better aligned with their values and vision. They made the decision to step away from Cordão de Ouro and adopt the name of the existing association in Campinas: Capoeira de Valor.