Alex José Gomes Eduardo aka Pelezinho

One of the leading lights of the flourishing Brazilian B-Boy scene, Pelézinho (Little Pelé) was the surprise hit of the 2005 World Final, in Berlin, where he made it to the semifinals.

As a kid, Alex José Gomes Eduardo started playing soccer in the streets, and became so good at it people began comparing him to the Brazilian soccer legend. He first encountered breaking in 1995 in his hometown, São José do Rio Preto at age 13 and began dancing shortly after.

Pelézinho's style is inspired by elements of the joyful "ginga" approach of Brazilian dance and attitude, which is acrobatic and powerful. Gings is an almost indefinable, mystical quality of movement and attitude possessed only by Brazilians and evident in everything they do. The way they walk, talk, dance and approach everything in their lives. Ginga is what gives Brazilian football players their fluidity and rhythm on the pitch and enables them to 'Joga Bonito' (Play Beautifully). Pelézinho mixes in techniques learned from capoeira and samba to create a creative whirlwind that leaves opponents in his wake.

His biggest inspirations are B-Boy Remind (Style Elements) and his beloved son who has inspired him ever since the day he was born. He is a professional dancer, performing in videos, commercials, shows and theatre performances and wants to dance for the rest of his life.

Pelézinho feels that he could have easily gotten into a life of trouble because of the environment he grew up in. Many of his childhood friends have already died or gone to prison. He feels that focusing on the dance helped him to make the right decisions in his life.

For Pelézinho, a good B-Boy is somebody who shows respect—respect to his family, his fellow B-Boys, the history of B-Boying and the dance itself. His mantra is simple: "Give respect and gain respect by being the best B-Boy you can."