At the age of 7, Chão discovers capoeira on the beaches of Itaipù, Niteroi (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Fascinated by the acrobatic and playful sport, in 1988 he began taking lessons from Professor Arruda, today Mestre, graduated by Mestre Peixinho.
Chão receives his blue belt in 1993 and his group then becomes the first group to be graded with this by Mestre Arruda. The blue belt gives them permission to teach under the direction of their teacher. It is at this period that Chão begins to invest in making capoeira his profession and he develops the work in several areas, schools and sports facilities, thereby gaining experience and maturity.
After a few years as a capoeira teacher, Chão decides to build his own academy in Pendotiba (Niteroi). The group that formed there still exists today. In 1995 Chão gets his green belt and in 1998 he goes to Europe for three months to learn about the development of capoeira abroad. During the trip, he participates in several shows, festivals, workshops and batizados in several countries (Holland, France, Switzerland, Denmark).
When he returns to Brazil, Chão begins to study with physical education teachers to improve his teaching and he continues to develop the work he started in his own academy. It is in 1999 that Chão receives his purple belt (the grade for confirmed teachers) and in 2000 he is given the opportunity to return to Europe to participate in a tour in Finland together with Mestre Peixinho, Mestre Toni and Mestre Ramos. It is on this occasion that he is asked to start working in Lyon within the capoeira association Cores Vivas, a group led by Mestre Sorriso (Senzala Montpellier).
In June 2001, Professor Chão organizes his first capoeira event during which more than 50 students participate in batizado and "troca de corda" (grading). At this first event, several well-known capoeiristas from Europe and Brazil are present: Mestre Sorriso, Mestre Henrique, Contra-Mestre Arruda, Contra-Mestre Grilo, Professeur Timbalada, Professeur Bruzzi, Professeur Caracu, Professeur Luciano, Professeur Boa Vida, Instructores Sapeca et Cebolinha.
Professor Chão leads significant work in capoeira throughout the Lyon region, but also in Burgundy (Châlon-sur-Saône, Dijon...) and actively participates in the development of capoeira there.
In 2007, Professor Chão and Mestre Arruda organize the festival "20 ans de Capoeira Senzala - Região Oceanica" in Niteroi, which is visited by more than 60 capoeiristas from Europe. There he gets his brown belt, which means he becomes Contra-Mestre. On the same occasion, his work in France is rewarded, among other things by his highest graded students receiving their blue belts there.
In 2010 Contra-Mestre Chão celebrates 10 years in Lyon, now assisted by his graduate students and he leads several groups in the Rhône-Alpes region. On August 5, 2012, Contra-Mestre Chão receives his red belt and becomes Mestre. This takes place at an event organized in his honor in Niteroi, Brazil.
