Which samba school won Rio de Janeiro Carnival’s 2023 Special Group title after a 22-year championship gap?

Imperatriz Leopoldinense won Rio de Janeiro Carnival’s 2023 Special Group title after a 22-year championship gap.

The school’s 2023 parade was titled “O Aperreio do Caboco,” a narrative inspired by the work of Brazilian writer and folklorist Câmara Cascudo. Imperatriz’s victory restored the school to the top of Rio’s principal samba-school competition after its previous championship in 2001.

Imperatriz Leopoldinense is associated with the Leopoldina area of Rio de Janeiro and traditionally uses green, white, and gold. The school is known for historically focused and carefully structured enredos, the Portuguese term for Carnival themes.

A championship gap does not mean the school disappeared from the competition. Imperatriz continued appearing in Rio’s elite groups, but it did not win the Special Group title between 2001 and 2023. The 2023 result was decided through the official judging system used for the parade competition.