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Monitor Paraiba

Marcos Martins, known in the world of Capoeira as 'Paraiba', was born in São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil on May 18, 1984.

In 1991, he migrated to Canada with his mother and in 1996, discovered Capoeira. Paraiba immediately fell in love with the art and began his training with Mestre Barrão, who he has been training with ever since.
At the age of 14, after having moved numerous times between cities in Canada and Brazil, Paraiba decided to dedicate his life to Capoeira. He then moved back to Vancouver where he would live and train with Mestre Barrão for the next 3 years.

"Mestre Barrão taught me everything i know in Capoeira and in Life", he remembers gratefully today. "He is the best Capoeirista I know."

In 2001, Mestre Barrão awarded Paraiba with his 'Monitor' belt (Graduated Student). Monitor Paraiba then moved to Toronto and started a branch of Axé Capoeira in Mississauga. Today, the Mississauga branch continues to grow and develop thanks to the hard work and dedication of Monitor Careca.

Paraiba has participated in countless Capoeira events, workshops and performances in countries far as Russia and across Brazil, USA and Canada. He has also competed in Mixed Martial Arts Competitions were he has both won and lost.

Today, Monitor Paraiba continues to travel and train as much as possible and strives to better himself, his skills, knowledge, and all students of Grupo Axé Capoeira. In his teaching, he strives to train individuals to be "complete" capoeiristas who are versed in all aspects of the game; fight, dance, history, culture, and language.

Monitor Careca

“Careca” was born in Dundas, Ontario, January 5, 1982, and began training Capoeira four years ago in Vancouver, Canada under the guidance of his Master, “Mestre Barrão.”

He has traveled throughout Brazil playing Capoeira. He believes in the philosophy that his Mestre taught him; to always be humble in the face of pressure, and treat others with integrity. “This type of thinking is important for me, because Capoeira has so many different aspects and requires a lot of patience to learn and understand. Being humble allows an individual to learn and always grow within this rich art form.”