Papa-Léguas

Jaime de Oliveira Gontijo: Mestre Papa-Léguas started Capoeira at the age of 14 in Patos de Minas, Brazil.

The first group he joined was Grupo Afro, but after two years his former teacher split from this group and they moved under the group Raizes - Cordão De Ouro of Mestre Ze Paulo in Belo Horizonte, Mina Gerais.

Formed as Instructor, and already teaching together with his former teacher, he decided in 2000 to move to London where, with the help of Professor Rilene and Rejane from the Group Amazonas Capoeira, he started to give his first classes in the UK.

In 2001 he moved to Nottingham, where he established his first group. His work started to grow and in 2004 he opened the first Cordão De Ouro Academy in the UK.

In November 2008 he moved to Crete, to open up another branch of Cordão De Ouro in Heraklion, handing over the Nottingham group to two of his leading graduated students, Tatu and Tatanka.

In January 2011, Mestre Papa Leguas moved back to the UK to continue his coordination of his UK groups.

In 2012, Mestre Papa Leguas made the transition back to Brazil to open a Cultural Centre in his home town of Patos.

Mestre Papa Leguas is a full time professional Capoeira Teacher, travelling almost every weekend to International events and Capoeira festivals. His style is unique, combining disciplined and highly technical movements, with a relaxed and non-aggressive game-style.

Mestre Papa Leguas currently has six Professors and six instructors following his work; Prof Medusa (CDO Scotland), Prof Mascote (CDO Birmingham, UK), Prof Tatu (CDO Nottingham, UK), Prof Tatanka (CDO Livorno, Italy) , Prof Cascao (CDO Norwich), Prof Cacau (CDO Nottingham), Instrutora Grega (CDO Heraklion, Crete)  Inst Kiri (CDO Nottingham), Inst Adam (CDO Derby). Inst Alinka (CDO Ukraine), Inst Soneca (CDO Nottingham), Inst Jaca (CDO Glasgow).
Mestre Papa Leguas also coordinates several groups in Indonesia.