Lol, just had to chime in too... that girl in the middle (3rd from left) has got one of the most perfect shaped ***

 

Well, since you like Angelique, Alicia, and friends so much, I'll add these for your viewing enjoyment.

Bom dia camara'



and a thread with more pics...

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=189457

 

So because you've seen some Brazilians lose, you generalize the whole? Although it's a major part of their culture (behind futbol), Capoeira isn't played by all, and those who may have lost might not have even been Capoeirista's. In either case, you'll probably never see a televised fight between a Capoeirista and one of the combatants you mentioned, and the form doesn't need your validation. The fact that people outside the circle still find it necessary to question it's effectiveness speaks much of the arts deceptiveness...........or....what we call, malicia. How about YOU go out and challenge a Capoeirista who enjoys the fight (....and that doesn't mean go pick on somebody who does it for the "exercise"; many Capoeirista's in North America stay away from the violent aspects).............................there are plenty out there. A high cord from Capuraginga or ABADA perhaps? I'm sure your view of the art will be altered! There are plenty of mestre's who have fought in vale tudo competitions, but they were Brazilian based (Capoeira is still a relatively esoteric art, and only it's acrobatics are recognizable), so again, you wouldn't see this on Americanized television. Do remember this....Capoeira inside the context of a Capoeira roda (with rules, tradition, etc.) is a different animal than Capoeira on the street!

It was once said by a respected mestre....

"Capoeira in the roda must be beautiful, and interactive..............Capoeira on the street must be blunt, and ugly!"

Bom dia



*edit*

This is only a small example of the vast applications we have in terms of takedowns (which you won't see in most Capoeira demo rodas). Enjoy!

http://www.adoclife.com/video.htm

(There are 4 "takedown" vids I believe)