The Topázio group was founded in 1987 by Raimundo dos Santos – Master Dinho. The group has been known for introducing new moviments in the capoeira fight. The group was founded to keep together, by an only name, the Master Dinho´s trainees that were teaching capoeira in their comunities. It was a way to officialize what all of them felt: they were members of the same family. Since then the group has been branching out and increasing the number of trainees.

There are branch schools in other cities in Brazil and in countries such as Argentina, Mexico, USA, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Turkey and Australia. There are no oficial numbers but the members are estimated in 15 thousand.

Master Dinho has been working to continue Master Bimba´s project. On the 30ths, when the foreign martial arts came to Brazil, Master Bimba introduced new moviments on the capoeira fight inaugurating the Luta Regional Baiana, nowadays known as capoeira Regional.

Master Dinho defends the evolution of capoeira without deny its roots. He says all martial art has something to offer to the others and without prejudce or bias the capoeira can be influenced by other martial art, to became more efficient.

One of the main characterists of capoeira is the variety of styles it can be practiced. Some people think this is a problem, but it gives each capoeira group its own identity. It doesn´t matter where is a Topazio capoeira player, he will be easily recognized as a member of Topazio Group because there is just one only style practiced by all members of the group.

The Group has kept its cohesion because all members have the same thought about capoeira: make it popular and practice by people from different countries. Would you like to be a member? Visit the website www.capoeiratopazio.com to get more information.