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Meet Our Team
Sara Correia – Professora de Capoeira, Pilates,
Ginástica Sénior, Capolates e Personal
Trainer “Contramestra Pakita”
Sara de Lima Palmeira Correia, also known as “Pakita”, was born on April 18, 1984 and is natural from Quarteira. Academically, she has a degree in Physical Education and Sport from Évora university, with a teaching degree and specialization in Swimming. She obtained a Master's degree in Exercise and Health Sciences from the University of East London, in England, presenting her final thesis on the topic “The Fitness Profile of the Capoeira Athlete”.
She also obtained certifications in "Gym Instructor", "Personal Trainer" and "Pilates" teacher, with a specialization in “Reformer”, whilst still in London. At the Macrobiotic Institute of Portugal, she was provided training on “Integral Women’s Health” and “Macrobiotic Cuisine”.
Her involvement with Capoeira began in 1999, at the age of 15, after attending a performance on Avenida de Quarteira. Initially, she trained with Marcelo André, “Mestre Namorado”, in partnership with Rodrigo Paranhos, “Mestre Canhão”. When she returned to Brazil, Pakita continued to train with Mestre Namorado until 2007. Since then, she has maintained her passion for Capoeira.
She lived in London between 2007 and 2011, where she continued training with Edgar Leite, “Contramestre Bombril”, worked in the Fitness area and continued her studies within sports. In 2011, when she returned to Portugal, she began her professional work with Capoeira, restarted Pilates and Personalized Training, in addition to starting Senior Gymnastics classes. Between 2011 and 2021, her Capoeira training was maintained with the help of Márcio Damião, “Contramestre Pena”.
Throughout her career, she won several prizes in Capoeira championships through Europe and Brazil, standing out with victories in European and world championships, such as the European Championship and the Muzenza Group Open World Championship in 2010.
In 2021, she founded the "Associação Desportiva Cultural Recreativa e social Alegria e Bem Estar", together with Francisco Machado.
In 2024, Sara graduated with the second degree of Contramestra de Capoeira from the "Escola de Capoeira Alegria e Bem Estar", receiving recognition from Mestre Namorado, her capoeira master and his Capoeira school called “Escola Ìbamolé Capoeira.
For Sara, her contribution to the development of “An Active and Healthy Lifestyle” is essential, in order to promote a Well-Being and longevity with quality.
Francisco Machado – “Professor Moita”
Capoeira Teacher, Circuit Training, Capolates
for seniors and Personal Trainer
Francisco José Guimbra da Cruz Machado, known in Capoeira as “Moita”, was born on October 28, 1985, in Lisbon. Having spent part of his childhood in Maputo, Mozambique, he returned to Portugal in 2000 and settled residence in Albufeira as from 2001. From 2008 onwards, he worked as a lifeguard in Albufeira for three years.
Academically, he graduated as Hotel Management Techniques at the Algarve Hotel and Tourism School, in 2004, in 2007 he was a teacher on the CEF Restaurant Bar course at the Vertical Group of Ferreiras, until, in 2014, he graduated as a Superior Sports Technician from the Algarve University .
Moita began practicing Capoeira at the age of 17 in Albufeira, initially was trained by Marcelo André, currently known as Mestre Namorado. His introduction to Capoeira occurred when he observed a skilled capoeirista called "Locomotiva" at the beach, which inspired him to begin practicing this art. After facing a problem with his left knee, he began training actively six months later.
Throughout his Capoeira journey, Moita trained for a few years, with Mestre Namorado, until 2010 and, then, with Márcio Damião (Contramestre Pena) until 2017. After this period, he began to train individually.
He also won some prizes in competitions, including 1st place in the "Copa Castilla y León" in Spain and 2nd place in the 8th European Capoeira Championship of Grupo Muzenza.
Currently, Moita has a Teacher degree, recognized by Mestre Namorado, his Master.
In 2021, he founded, in partnership with Sara Correia, "Associação Desportiva Cultural, Recreativa e Social Alegria e Bem Estar", which focuses on promoting a more active and healthier lifestyle, in addition to spreading the values of respect, tolerance, discipline and education.
Khalid Maghames – “Instructor Bolacha”, Hagen
(Germany)
Khalid Maghames, also known in Capoeira as “Bolacha”, was born in Al Zarka, Jordan, on August 22, 1984, thus having Palestinian roots. Although his parents were refugees in Germany, in the late 60s and early 70s, they decided that their first child should be born in their homeland. So, they traveled to Jordan shortly before Khalid was born and, when he was about two months old, they returned to Germany, where he still lives today.
Khalid started practicing capoeira at age of 21, around 2006/2007. His inspiration came at the age of 15, when he watched the film "Only the Strong", with Mark Dacascos. This film was what motivated him to look for Capoeira classes in the city where he lived at the time, Lippstadt.
After about seven years of waiting, he finally discovered where there were Capoeira classes in the city where he lived and began his journey in this art.
During classes, Khalid met his teacher, who at the time was the Graduado Japonês, now Contramestre, and remained active in teaching Capoeira, even after 17 years of practice and hip surgery.
In addition to his activities in Capoeira, Khalid is a professor at the project "Roda of Global Cultures – Capoeira for Respect and Tolerance", an exchange program within the scope of Erasmus+ in Germany. In 2022, he joined the Escola de Capoeira Alegria e Bem Estar.
In addition to his contribution to Capoeira, Khalid has a degree in Physiotherapy and works in a clinic practicing this profession. He emphasizes the importance of an open mind to music, reading and respect for others within the practice of Capoeira, considering it a complete art that is not restricted to just the martial dimension.
Marcelo F. André – “Mestre Namorado”, England
“Come with me, I’ll explain it to you on the way”
Marcelo F. André, better known as Mestre Namorado in Capoeira, was born on February 8, 1973, in Rio de Janeiro. His first contact with Capoeira occurred between the ages of 7 and 10, influenced by a cousin of his, already with the rank of Contramestre.
However, practicing Capoeira began in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, in 1986, at Academia 460, under the guidance of Mestre Corvinho, his first Master.
Throughout his journey, Mestre Namorado was influenced by masters such as Moreno and Professor Heitor. After spending a period without a Master at Academia 460, he restarted his training with Mestre Boca.
During his career, he was part of Capoeira schools such as Cruzeiro do Sul, Mestre Corvinho, Raízes d'África, Mestre Batata (who later went to Grupo Muzenza) and Mestre Cauã. In 1996/1997, he came to Portugal for the first time for Capoeira events, settling in Albufeira in the Algarve from 1998 onwards, where he gave classes in several Algarve cities.
Mestre Namorado completed his training in Physical Education in Brazil, obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Physical Activity in 4 years and a Degree as a Physical Education Teacher in 3 years.
On September 7, 2015, he founded the Escola de Capoeira Ibamolé, based in Colombia and also present in Ecuador, Portugal and England, where Mestre Namorado currently resides with his family.
He highlights discipline as the concept that best defines Capoeira.
Danielson Santos, “Contramestre Danny” -
Lisbon
He was born on September 10, 1981. His journey in capoeira began in 1994 at the Carcavelos Firefighters with Mestre Abdula.
During his 30 years of dedication to capoeira, Danny was influenced by several Mestres and Contra-Mestres who shaped his experience in this art, including Mestre Bailarino, Mestre Nininho, Mestre Pixote, among other important figures.
On January 31, 2020, in Curitiba, Brazil, he received his graduation as Contra-Mestre.
His long journey in capoeira led him to start the Associação de Capoeira Lúdica Desportiva in Lisbon in September 2020, a conscious and mature project based on values such as Respect, Education, and Discipline. It aims to develop skills and support the sustainable and inclusive development of children and young people through capoeira activities.
In addition to his own association, Contra-Mestre Danny has also been a member of our Associação Alegria e Bem Estar since August 2021, sharing with all members his vast knowledge as both a capoeira and jiu-jitsu athlete, as well as a teacher recognized by the Federação Portuguesa de Capoeira.
Social entities
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PRESIDENT MANAGEMENT
PRESIDENT FISCAL COUNCIL
Inês de Lima Palmeira Correia
Sara de Lima Palmeira Correia
João de Lima Palmeira Correia
​VICE PRESIDENT
​TREASURER
SECRETARY
Ana Paula Coelho
Francisco José Gimbra da Cruz Machado
Ana Paula Gimbra da Cruz Machado
SECRETARY
SECRETARY
​REPORTER
Filipe Dias Guerreiro Palma
Maria Armanda Soares Lima da Silva
Ana Carolina Gimbra da Cruz Machado