Mestre Touro

Antônio Oliveira Bemvindo, known as Mestre Touro, was born on November 3, 1950, in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Espírito Santo, Brazil. He moved to Rio de Janeiro where he would become one of the most significant figures in preserving the authentic carioca capoeira tradition.

His capoeira journey began in 1957 when, as a child in the Penha neighborhood, he was introduced to the art as a game by his childhood friend Celso Pepe. The two boys grew up together learning capoeira, with Touro later becoming one of Celso Pepe's most accomplished students. In the Penha neighborhood, Celso Pepe's students were famously known as "os alunos peludos de Pepe" (Pepe's hairy pupils), a testament to their recognition in the local community.

In 1964, at just fourteen years old, Touro took over Grupo de Capoeira Cativeiro from his teacher Celso Pepe. On April 23, 1964, he established his own group, Grupo de Capoeira Corda de Bambas (also written as "Corda Bamba"), which would become one of the oldest continuously operating capoeira groups in Rio de Janeiro. The group's headquarters was established in the Penha neighborhood.

Early in his career, Touro worked various jobs to support himself. He worked as a market worker carrying bags and freight, and after completing his military service, he spent three years as a stevedore (DTM). It was during his time on the docks that he met Banzo Africano, who introduced him to Tele Catch (television wrestling). This connection would prove pivotal, as actor José de Arimatéia spotted him and opened doors to television.

Touro developed a successful parallel career as an actor in Brazilian television. He appeared in numerous TV programs including the immensely popular comedy show "Os Trapalhões", as well as "Chico City" and "Praça da Alegria". He also worked in telenovelas such as "Escalada", "Memória de Amor", "Cambalacho", and "Escrava Isaura". In 1980, he appeared in the Brazilian comedy film "O Incrível Monstro Trapalhão", released in January 1981.

Throughout his career, Touro taught capoeira in numerous neighborhoods across Rio de Janeiro: Penha, Vista Alegre, Irajá, Parada de Lucas, Cordovil, Vigário Geral, Catete, Bonsucesso, Honório Gurgel, and Praça Tiradentes. His commitment to teaching helped spread the carioca style throughout the city and created new generations of capoeiristas.

His brother, Mestre Dentinho (Alcino Oliveira Bemvindo, 1952-2011), was also a renowned capoeirista. The two brothers competed together as part of the "unbeatable team" - the Guanabara team - which won the 1st Brazilian Capoeira Championship in 1973, securing victories in both individual and team competitions. Together, they led the famous "Roda da Penha", one of the most traditional capoeira circles in Rio de Janeiro, which is registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Carioca people.

Touro entered politics when he met councilman Carlos de Carvalho, who employed him as a legislative assistant at the Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro, a position he held for many years.

His capoeira work extended internationally, teaching in US cities including San Diego, Los Angeles, Dallas, Oakland, and Detroit, as well as Castellón and Valencia in Spain. His student Mestre Preto Velho (Dennis Newsome) founded Os Malandros de Mestre Touro in San Diego, California, to honor his teacher and propagate the carioca tradition internationally. Mestre Preto Velho became the first African born outside of Brazil to hold the title of "Master of Capoeira" in its 500 years of history.

On October 30, 2021, the "Homens de Fibra" (Men of Fiber) monument was inaugurated at Largo da Penha, at the junction of Avenidas Nossa Senhora da Penha and Braz de Pina, honoring Mestres Touro and Dentinho as "giant figures of Rio de Janeiro's capoeira". The life-size statue depicts the brothers in characteristic capoeira movements, inspired by an old performance by Dentinho.

Mestre Touro is known as the "Living Legend of Carioca Capoeira" for his role in preserving the characteristics of capoeira from Rio de Janeiro and the carioca capoeiragem tradition. He is equally renowned for his rich knowledge of Brazilian history. His lineage represents the authentic carioca tradition: Prata Preta → Campanhão → Quinzinho → Leopoldina → Celso Pepe → Touro, connecting the nineteenth-century street capoeira of Rio to the contemporary global art form.