Capoeira is one of Brazil’s most important cultural expressions.
The name “capoeira” is of indigenous origin, and means “a clearing amid the jungle”, or “a clearing where there used to be a jungle”; in Brazilian northeast, many dishes are prepared with “galinha de capoeira”, or “capoeira chicken”, which grows in the capoeiras, as opposed to chickens raised in captive conditions.

Some careless definitions state that the “game of capoeira” (“jogo de capoeira”) is a sport practiced at academies or in the streets, with no set rules but characteristically ordered nevertheless, with its own music, for which the instrument that sets the pace at practice bouts is the berimbau, or musical bow.

This definition, however, considers capoeira only by sporting aspects, to the detriment of the ways all its other features blend in with Brazilian society. Capoeira’s mythical and religious aspects, for instance, are a part of that which is considered “sacred” in Brazil, something that permeates all beliefs, lifestyles, dreams and aspirations in our society.

Sérgio Buarque de Holanda, one of the most famous Brazilian sociologists, referredt to these aspects as religious feeling, both intimate and close to the heart, accepting of spiritual contributions from many sources, and a paradigm of the courteous nature with which that writer credits the Brazilian people.
Thus, the magic that permeates the world of capoeira gives form to a vast spectrum of meaning through which this expression of Afro- Brazilian culture maintains ties with all that is sacred, and with several of the expressions and traditions of Brazil’s popular culture.

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Taekwondo athletes choose to compete in a weight category which is lower than their normal weight simply because it provides them with more advantage. They have longer lower limbs which will give them better chances to strike and hit the opponent thus earning them a point. It also makes their movement swifter because of their lighter weight. However, there are certain athletes who undergo drastic measures just to achieve a rapid amount of weight loss. Rapid decrease in weight done through fluid restriction, severe food deprivation, excessive exercise, use of laxatives and diuretics and even regular use of sauna will bring more harm to the body of Taekwondo athletes rather than good. It is a must that athletes should be fit before their tournament so they can properly execute their blocks, kicks and strikes.

These require maximum nutrition potential which can only be acquired through right combination of food and training. It is never wise to deter from eating nutritiously rich carbohydrate foods like pasta, whole grain cereals, rice, fruits and vegetables. The intake of protein rich food like lean meat, fish, chicken, beans and legumes holds vital nutrients that will help the body repair broken muscles and bones. What must be done instead of drastic weight loss regimen for these Taekwondo athletes is identification of the weight group category which they intend to enter on an earlier phase so they can safely plan their diet months before the tournament.

A training diet is not evil if and only if it can be planned accordingly. There is nothing wrong in trimming down on one’s weight but to do it in a flash will produce detrimental effects to the body. Nutritionists and heath experts suggest that Taekwondo athletes maintain a weight within 2-3 kilogram of their competition weight so they can minimize nutritional strategies which can drastically affect their body movements and coordination. Nevertheless, the following are helpful tips which Taekwondo athletes would wish to follow two to three days before their tournament.