MESTRE TORPEDO´S STORY
 Renato
Gomes de Reis, known as “Mestre Torpedo”, was introduced to
Capoeira in 1980 in a small town called “Itaguai” in the Brasilian
state of Rio de Janeiro.
He was walking in a street when he saw a “Roda de Capoeira”
for first time, and was immediately amazed by the show, music
and rhythm. From then on, he kept on going more and more times
to assist the Rodas, travelling some 40 minutes on a bicycle
on dirt roads, subject to rain, no lighting, always carrying
with him his ambition to proceed with his journey.
It was then that “Mestre Décio” noticed the persistence of
the child and invited him to learn Capoeira. Due to his lack
of funds, he contributed by arriving earlier to clean the stages,
carry instruments, etc.
Gradually, he got to know other masters from same linhage
as Mestre Decio (Mestre Sarte, Mestre Arco-Iris, etc), all of
them disciples of Mestre Georio who in turn was one of the disciples
of the great Mestre Bimba.
About a year later, his younger brother (Cicatriz) also initiated
Capoeira. Due considerable distance, he decided to coach in
a closer academy (by “Mestre Sarte”).
All year around, there were Capoeira meetings where he was
introduced to the other masters that would bring their students
for the great Capoeira “Batizado” Baptism event.
With 2 years experience, the two brothers did their first
Capoeira baptism. In this event, “student Torpedo” was introduced
to “Mestre Cabeca” and given his nickname due to the capacity
of the Torpedo to perform swift and precise movements.
With 14 years of age, Torpedo re-located (together with his
family) to Campo Grande where he would continue his career under
“Mestre Cabeça”. It was also at this time that his brother Cicatriz
started to be coached by “Mestre Lota”.
The two brothers started participating in various events
in the tourist centers of Ilha Grande, Ilha Martins, Ilhas das
Cabras (together with Mestre Cabeça, Décio, Lota, Tainam, Gege
and other desciples) and later in numerous events, Rodas and
Baptisms all over Brasil (for example: Roda da Quinta da Boavista,
Encontro Itaguaí, Roda da Lapa, Roda da Pé, Roda Preto Velho,
etc). They would meet with other capoeiristas from all over
Brasil with numerous cases of some more violent Rodas and always
winning more experience. They swore not to stop until they’ve
joined every type of roda in Brazil. Many times, they would
miss their bus and needed to wait till the next morning to be
able to return home.
It was during a Roda in Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro) that
they were invited for an audition for performing international
shows by the director of one of the most respected events company
in Brasil called “Plataforma 1”.
 In 1992, Torpedo started his international tour in Spain
(Madrid, Tenerife and Canary Islands), Argentina, etc. On the
other hand, Cicatriz went to Venezuela.
In 1993, the two brothers joined again and started their
first Capoeira School and later continued their carreers in
Japan for 6months.
In 1996, the youngest brother of the family “Professor Tata”
(which had only initiated Capoeira more recently due to his
age) joined his brothers travelling throughout Brasil. Upon
his graduation as instructor in 2004, he started his first school
in Jakarta. Returned to Brasil together with Mestres Cabeça,
Lota, Binha travelling throughout Brasil. Finaly, re-located
to Austrália where he and Cicatriz live to this date.
On the other hand, “Mestre Torpedo” has been promoting Capoeira
in other regions of Ásia mainly Thailand (3 years), Taiwan,
Indonesia, Maldives and Cambodia.
“Mestre Torpedo” is currently living in the Philippines since
November 2008 where he has been appreciating very much local
culture and its people. He has been directing various schools
“Grupo de Sinhá Bahia de Capoeira” in Manila and Cebu. This
is where he plans to continue his life’s journey (a capoeira
journey with no end ) ... To fan the flames of passion for Capoeira
in the hearts of the Filipinos. Seeing great promise in the
Filipinos abilities, he promises to elevate their game and make
them worthy members of the Sinhá Bahia international family.
The three brothers plan to join in Manila to give more support
to the Philippine project. To show everyone that capoeira is
truly all about CULTURE, ART, PEACE, ORGANIZATION, EDUCATION,
INITIATIVE, RESPECT, LOVE, and most specially ABOUT FAMILY.
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