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| Epokaru Bldg. 2FA, Mihama, Chatan-cho, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa, Japan 904-0115 Tel. 936-8883 |
| "Providing Positive Fun and Fitness for an International Community." Copyright 2008. |
| OUR MASTER |
| Name: Arturo Urena-Hamelitz Nickname: Sucuri (Anaconda) History: When I was young my family lived in a poor section of San Diego, California called San Ysidro. Public education in my neighborhood was not very good, so many times I would not go to school and spent my days at the library. Mostly because it was a good place to hide from police who were always looking for kids who were not in school, and I did not need any money to stay in the library. Because my family was poor I moved out of the house and began working full-time at age 16, which is pretty young for an American. At the time America had many opportunities for high school dropouts to return to school. So, at 19 years old I took my high school equivalency exam and enrolled in Southwestern Community College. I decided to follow my lifetime interest of Latin American Culture, which led me to the University of San Diego. In 1993, I graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Latin American Studies and a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science. Between 1994 and 1996 I spent most of my time in South Korea working and doing a lot to promote Capoeira and Latin American Culture. It was at this time that I met a Brazilian named Cavinquino who was working in Seoul as a musician, and also played Capoeira. When he found out I played Capoeira we joined up and began to do shows throughout Seoul, mostly clubs and international events. Many times we exchanged ideas and discussed culture and Capoeira. In 1998, I enrolled in the Master's Degree program in Latin American Studies at San Diego State University. I was fortunate enough to take classes such as, The Brazilian Slave Trade, Mexico before Cortez, Brazilian Literature, and work on several research projects culminating in my thesis "Capoeura Lyrics as a Form Cultural Philosophy." Brazilian Literature was my favorite class and was where I fell in love with Braizlian writers such as Jorge Amado. In 1999 I had to decide where I was going to be teaching Capoeira permanently. I already had experience in teaching and doing workshops in the Philippines and South Korea, but I felt I wanted to start from scratch. As a child I always had a romantic image of Japan. So, I packed my bags and headed for Tokyo. Lack of resources and the simple ability to speak the language created many barriers, but like most major cities Tokyo was full of opportunity. So, in 1999 I etablished Capoeira Zoador and began my career in Tokyo. It has not been easy but through hard work and determination I established Capoeira Zoador Academy. Today I am fortunate enough to take part in many events that affect the community and Asia in general. With the help of my students we were able to open Tokyo's first full-time Capoeira Arts Academy. Today, I work though Capoeira Zoador to enrich the world with the beauty of Capoeira and Brazilian Cultural Arts. Past Accomplishments: 1976-1980 Praticed Tae Know Do in San Diego, from age 4-8. 1989 Began learning Capoeira and other Afro-Brazilian dances. 1991-1992 Studied and trained in Muay Thai 1994-1996 Taught Capoeira in Manila, Philippines and South Korea 1996 Earned black belt in Hapkido while living in South Korea 1998-1999 Master's Degree Program in Latin American Studies at San Diego State University, specialized in Afro-Brazilian Culutral History. 1999 Founded Capoeira Zoador Tokyo 2000-2007 Member of Xango, a professional Brazilian Performane team that performs throughout Japan. 2001 World Competition of Martial Arts, 4th Annual Chungju World Martial Arts Festival. 2003 Founded Capoeira Zoador Academy in Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo's 1st full-time Brazilian Arts and Capoeira school. 2005 Entered Waseda Graduate school of Asia-Pacific Studies 2006 Opened Capoeira Zoador Takanobaba Studio in Tokyo, Japan 2007 Co-Founded Capoeira Academy Okinawa in Okinawa, Japan 2008 Established Capoeira Zoador in Fukuoka, Japan |
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