Mestre Wilson Sereno

Wilson Sereno was a Bahian capoeirista who originated from Salvador and eventually migrated to Rio de Janeiro, becoming part of an important wave of Bahian capoeira practitioners who brought Capoeira Angola traditions to the former capital city during the 1970s.

In Salvador, Wilson Sereno studied under three significant mestres of the mid-twentieth century capoeira world. His primary teacher was Mestre Caiçara (Antônio Conceição Moraes, 1924-1997), the legendary and controversial angoleiro known for his hard fighting style and iconic bengala (walking cane). Wilson Sereno also trained with Mestre Cobrinha Verde (Rafael Alves França, 1912-1983), the cousin and student of Besouro Mangangá who introduced the floor-touching mandinga gesture to Capoeira Angola. Additionally, he received instruction from Mestre Bimba (Manuel dos Reis Machado, 1899-1974), the founder of Capoeira Regional—demonstrating exposure to both major capoeira lineages.

After moving to Rio de Janeiro, Wilson Sereno taught at Casa do Marinheiro (Sailor's House) on Avenida Brasil. This location was significant during the early 1970s as a meeting point for capoeiristas with Navy connections. Mestre Moraes, who arrived in Rio de Janeiro as a Navy marine around 1970, also frequented Casa do Marinheiro. The presence of both Wilson Sereno and Moraes at this location suggests it was an important early venue for the transmission of Bahian Capoeira Angola in Rio de Janeiro, prior to GCAP's official founding in 1980.

Wilson Sereno's role in Rio de Janeiro's capoeira angola community connects the traditional Salvador Angola lineages to the emerging scene that would eventually produce GCAP and other groups dedicated to preserving Pastinha's Angola tradition in Rio de Janeiro.

Among his known students is Mestre Nilson da Penha, based in Rio de Janeiro.