João Pereira dos Santos

João Pereira dos Santos (27 December 1917 – 9 December 2011), known as Mestre João Pequeno was capoeira Angola mestre and one of the principal students of mestre Pastinha.

He began his carrier in Capoeira as a student of Mestre Gilvenson and later became a disciple of Mestre Pastinha - the father of contemporary Capoeira Angola. Together with Mestre João Grande he is later to share the honour of being one of the late Mestre Pastinha's two most learned students - the ones to whom he entrusted his legacy. Mestre João Pequeno died on 9 December 2011 at the age of 93.

In 1970, Mestre Pastinha said the following about João Pequeno, "He will be the greatest Capoeira players of the future and I have worked hard with him, and for him, to achieve this. He will be a true master. Not just impromptu teacher, as can be found anywhere, who only destroy our tradition which is so beautiful. I've taught everything I know to this young man. Even the Cat's Leap (lit. Pulo do gato, the one move that is kept to oneself to use in dire circumstances. It is usually never taught to anyone, to keep its element of surprise). That's why I have the greatest hopes regarding their future." Provided by Wikipedia