William Douglas Guimaraes, Master Mao Branca, was born in Belo Horizonte on April 14, 1960 and was initiated into Capoeira in the mid 70s with Master Jacare, with whom he trained a year. Then he moved to Rio de Janeiro where he began training with Master Gigante for many years. It was at this time, when one day it was very cold, that he played in a roda with white gloves, and received his nickname Mao Branca (White Hand).
He received the Master's belt in 1985. On his return to Belo Horizonte, he founded the group Capoeira Gerais through which he dedicated himself to helping children in disadvantaged neighborhoods, but also to develop, promote, and disseminate the Capoeira Brazil and the world.
The group Capoeira Gerais has over twenty subsidiaries in Brazil, in Switzerland, Germany, Spain and Chile. Master Mao Branca received the "Honorary Diploma of Sport Merit" of the Municipal Chamber of Belo Horizonte in 1992, and the title of "Illustrious Citizen of Belo Horizonte" for his social work in the community of Minas Gerais. He is also founder and president of the Federation of Capoeira Minas Gerais and one of the founders of the Brazilian Confederation of Capoeira. He continues to work for the benefit of Capoeira, conducting workshops, seminars and courses in Brazil and in the world, having become one of the greatest living representatives of this art.