João Pereira dos Santos

[2] In 1970, Mestre Pastinha said the following about João Pequeno, "He will be the greatest Capoeira players of the future and I have worked hard with him, and for him, to achieve this.

During the recession of the late 70s (See Oil Crisis of 1973), Capoeira Mestres and dedicated practitioners amongst the populace faced great hardships to continue the practice of their beloved art.

Despite these events, João Pequeno persevered these difficult years, biding his time to revive Pastinha's school.

In a way, João Pequeno revived and succeeded in achieving the original purpose for which Pastinha's Centro Esportivo de Capoeira Angola was established - that is, to preserve and promote the traditions of Capoeira Angola, the fundamental tenets of the Angoleiro and to provide a community based support for Capoeiristas.

His old friend and Capoeira brother, João Grande later did the same by establishing his academy in New York City the United States in 1990.

Into his 90s, Joao Pequeno continued to teach and practise capoeira at his academy in Forte de Santo Antônio Além do Carmo which has, through the work of Mestre João and GCAP, come to be called the Forte da Capoeira which is off to the north side of the historical center of Salvador, Bahia which is also called Pelourinho.