Marcos Martins, known in the world of Capoeira as 'Paraiba', was born in São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil on May 18, 1984.
In 1991, he migrated to Canada with his mother and in 1996, discovered Capoeira. 'Paraiba' immediately fell in love with the art and began his training with Mestre Barrão, who he has been training with ever since.
At the age of 14, after having moved numerous times between cities in Canada and Brazil, 'Paraiba' decided to dedicate his life to Capoeira. He then moved back to Vancouver where he would live and train with Mestre Barrão for the next 3 years.
"Mestre Barrão taught me everything i know in Capoeira and in Life", he remembers gratefully today. "He is the best Capoeirista I know."
In 2001, Mestre Barrão awarded Paraiba with his 'Monitor' belt (Graduated Student). Monitor Paraiba then moved to Toronto and started a branch of Axé Capoeira in Mississauga. In May 2006 Instrutor Paraiba opended Toronto's first Capoeira academy along with Monitor Careca. In March 2009 Paraiba was awarde his Professor belt by his Mestre. Today, in his 4000sq ft. academy, Professor Paraiba runs Toronto's most sucessful school and is continuously growing and developing new projects for his school and students.
Paraiba has participated in countless Capoeira events, workshops and performances in countries as far as Russia and across Brazil, USA and Canada. He has also competed in Mixed
Martial Arts Competitions where he has both won and lost.
Professor Paraiba continues to travel and train as much as possible and strives to better himself, his skills, knowledge, and all students of Grupo Axé Capoeira. In his teaching, he strives to train individuals to be "complete" capoeiristas who are versed in all aspects of the game; fight, dance, history, culture, and language.
"Professor Paraiba" 
