Mestre Duende

Having started capoeira in 1990, Robson Pinheiro from Paraná, famous as Mestre Duende, made history in our discipline when he received, in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, the highest distinction of our school: the black corda. This award, a symbol of excellence within the Capoeira Brasil group, confirms his status as a mestre and highlights the richness of his contribution to this art. Since his early days, Mestre Duende has devoted his life to capoeira, building a distinguished career that has led him to coordinate more than 500 students today, in cities such as Curitiba, São José dos Pinhais, Colombo, Pinhais, Jaguariaíva and Arapoti.

Mestre Duende’s passion for capoeira is unshakeable, renewed every day and passed on to every student he teaches. He continues to play a vital role as coordinator of the Capoeira Brasil group in Paraná, where his commitment to teaching and practising capoeira inspires a new generation of capoeiristas to strive for excellence, while remaining true to the values of respect, community and humility that characterise this art.

Beyond that, Duende is also capoeira coordinator at the Sports Department of São José dos Pinhais, a municipality where capoeira is the second most practised sport – just behind futsal – and head of the Deixa o Menino Jogar Association, which promotes social inclusion through sport. Robson Duende has represented capoeira in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, France, Germany, Belgium and Poland.