Mestre Pedro - Capoeira Master of the Alagados

The extraordinary capoeira master Pedro Pé de Ferro ("iron-foot") is revered for his amazing physical control and discipline, and has accomplished legendary feats, such as having a loaded pickup truck drive over his chest. He is the founder of the Associação de Capoeira Filhos do Sol Nascente do Salvador, which operates out of a roofless, burned-out building, originally a small movie theater, that he occupied in 1990. Located between the underclass neighborhood of Uruguai and the alagados, his center caters to hundreds of children and young adults. He demands that kids remain in school, and forbids them from taking drugs or joining gangs. The father of ten children, Mestre Pedro is a true hero in his community.