SPORT


With lessons in São Bartolomeu de Messines, Al- bufeira and Lagoa (the latter two town halls being especially supportive to the group over the years), Professor Pena teaches children and adults of all levels. He explains that the basic movement is the moving ginga, and other characteristic moves include strikes, swirling kicks (the meia-lua de compasso, where the hands are placed on the floor and the opponent is struck with the heel, is unique to capoeira) and rasteiras (leg sweeps). By mastering these moves, the Muzenza Group fighters are awarded ropes, or cords, throughout their training, starting from the grey cord to the ultimate white cord as a master. Each person also has a nickname, a tradition that dates back to the early days of outlawed capoeira when capoeiristas had to hide their identity, and it can be anything from a particular characteristic to a specific event.


Bearing a choreography-like resemblance, capoeira is also filled with impressive acrobatics, mostly used in presentations where there is usually no contact. Where there is contact however is in the many re- gional, national, European and international compe- titions these athletes take part in, and they have certainly done their teacher proud. The current world ladies champion is Sara Correia (Pakita), who garnered the title in Brazil in August, whilst young Filipe Barros (Galho) is the twice-European cham- pion at his level. Placing second in a previous world championship and European solo champion is the petite Laura Limãozinho, and Ricardo Castro (RC), who placed second in the recent European champi- onships, is following in his teacher's footsteps. With around 40 young students between the ages of three and six, Ricardo now holds weekly lessons at A Escolinha pre-school in Carvoeiro, where he is idolised


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