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Rayssa Leal is young skateboarder that is rapidly becoming one of the biggest sports icon in Brazil. At 15 years old, she’s an Olympian, winning silver in street skateboarding at the 2022 Summer Olympics. She’s also participated in numerous competitions all over the world, achieving success in her industry.
Leal occupies that privileged position of having the natural talent of an athlete paired with a young age, resulting in someone who’s equipped to take on the world’s biggest sporting stages without crumbling over them. “If it works out, it works out, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. It’s alright. The next one will work,” she said in a qualification event for the Paris 2024 Olympic, showing off the relaxed attitude that describes much of her skating style.
“It’s like I’m in an amusement park and I’m just having fun,” she said to Olympics.com. “Because I am doing what I like and what was my dream to always do. So just getting to championships and being with my family and with my friends is great.”
When speaking about her experience in the previous Olympics she made it clear that while she knows it’s a huge stage, in the end, competing is about having fun and showing off her skills. “I’m just doing my best,” she said.
With an active social media presence and partnerships with iconic sports brands like Nike, Leal’s future is wide open, with opportunities coming from all directions.