Mestre Sucuri Tokyo, Japan

(Arturo Urena Hamelitz) fell in love with Capoeira at the age of 17 and it
was love at first sight. Since then he has dedicated his life and professional career to the development of capoeira and the celebration of Afro-Brazilian culture. In 1999 Mestre Sucuri moved to Tokyo, Japan to teach capoeira and grow as a professional performer and artist. Since his arrival, he has performed hundreds of cultural shows around Asia and especially in Japan.
 
While based in Tokyo, every year Mestre Sucuri shares his vast knowledge of capoeira and other Afro-Brazilian arts throughout Europe, the US, and Asia. Mestre Sucuri believes that as a Mestre (Master) of capoeira, he must constantly improve and grow, such as when in 2012, he graduated from Waseda University with an M.A. in International Relations focusing on the “Globalization of Afro-Brazilian Popular Culture in Japan”. Later in 2014 publishing “The Path of Capoeira: Teaching, Philosophy and Lessons Learnt” and his second book "Capoeira Fire" in 2022. Furthermore, he is one of the first non-Brazilians to produce and record original capoeira music. He has released several music projects including Capoeira Zoador’s V.1 “Depoimento”, Capoeira Zoador V.2 "Quando a Chuva Cai", Capoeira Zoador V.3 "Ile Mojuba", Capoeira Zoador V.4 “Vamo Que Vamo”, and a Latin Jazz Cd in collaboration with Tokyo based artists "Mestre Vibes V.1".

Through passion and determination, Mestre Sucuri founded Capoeira Zoador Academy in 2003 and has grown it to be the premier international Capoeira school in Tokyo. His dedication and love for capoeira only grow with each new student that enters Capoeira Zoador Academy. Mestre Sucuri regularly travels to share his experience and knowledge of Capoeira around the world and has Capoeira Zoador instructors in the US, South Korea, Japan, and Thailand.