Rayssa Leal exclusive: “I want to get to LA28 and I want to get there well”
Speaking to Olympics.com from the World Skate Games Italia 2024, the superstar skateboarder shared the highs and lows behind her dramatic Paris 2024 bronze, what it's like to be part of Brazil’s superstar female Olympic cohort and her hopes for the future.
Skateboarding
Arms outstretched, eyes closed standing in front of the Eiffel Tower at the Champions Park, Rayssa Leal soaked in the rapture of applause as it rained down.
Behind her, flashes of green and yellow from Brazilian flags in the crowd flapped in excitement as celebrations for her hard-fought skateboarding bronze medal began.
It was a moment so striking it's not surprising that all the emotions bound up in occasion are still near the surface.
“All these feelings, this experience, it seems like it was yesterday,” Leal, 16, shared speaking to Olympics.com reflecting on Paris 2024 in an exclusive interview at the World Skate Games Italia 2024.
After a rocky showing in the prelims, the final was not much better. After failing to land a single clean run, the skater left herself a mountain to climb in the best trick section.
To the outside, any hopes of hardware seemed all but lost. And yet, against the odds, Leal rallied back pulling out all the stops to bring home her second Olympic medal in as many Games, becoming the youngest-ever Brazilian to do so.
“After I messed up the two runs, I said to myself, ‘Dude, I'm not going to be able to do it anymore,'" the street skater said, recalling her fight back.
"Then, my team actually helped me and said, ‘The game isn't over yet, come on.’ And, then, I came back 100 per cent. I came back even more focused.
“As soon as I realised that I was in third place, I started to cry. I broke down. I cried a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot. I was with the CBSK (Brazilian Skateboarding Federation) coach, from the national team, (Rogério) Mancha. So, we hugged each other there, and we cried together, too.
“And all I could think was, 'Man, I made it this far, I made it to the podium. My whole family is here. There are many Brazilians, many of my friends who are very proud of me. And I am also very proud of myself.'
“All I could think were the most positive thoughts in the world.”
“Being part of a group of such empowered women inspires me every day"
More than a month has passed since Leal won her second medal, but the spotlight surrounding her has far from dimmed.
The day before the skateboarder flew out to the Italy, she was seen rollicking at an NFL game in Sao Paulo alongside fellow Paris medallists Rebeca Andrade, Beatriz Souza and Duda Lisboa.
The quartet on their victory tour - with some 11 medals overall between them - represented a wider trend for Brazil, where female athletes dominated the podium.
“We went with the medals and sang the Brazilian national anthem,” Leal shared with a smile. “It was an extraordinary experience, really incredible.
“Being part of a group of such empowered women inspires me every day to want to continue following my dreams, to give my best every day on the track and knowing that I also serve as an inspiration for them, just as they serve as an inspiration for me, is crazy. And I am very happy to have so many strong Brazilian women representing Brazil so well,” she added.
Just as Leal is a beacon for other Olympic athletes, she also represents a path for a new generation of Brazilian skateboarders to follow. That is clear from the sidelines in Rome.
In addition to the familiar faces of Olympians Gabi Mazetto and Pamela Rosa, the next lot on the steady conveyor belt of talent from Brazil have also taken to the skatepark.
Manuh Moretti, 13, Daniela Vitoria, 15, and Maria Lucia De Campos, 14, all made their debuts in the open qualifiers of the world championship event with Leal, seeded already to the quarter-final, supporting them every step of the way.
“When Manuh was competing in the first heat, I imagined myself in her place,” Leal said, reflecting on her transition from influenced to influencer.
“A few years ago, I was in her place, if I’m not mistaken, it was in Rio de Janeiro, my first World Skate tournament. I was very nervous and I saw myself in her there.
“Knowing that they are inspired by us and will compete in these championships, travel with their skateboards and do everything with their skateboards, that's really cool.”
Rayssa Leal at Paris 2024
“Of course I want to get to LA28"
Though the future of Brazilian skateboarding is budding, a fully bloomed Leal has no intentions of stepping back any time soon.
The ambitious teenager, a veritable celebrity in Brazil with a 9.2 million Instagram following, has a string of goals she wants to achieve going forward.
“Of course, I want to get to LA28, and get there well,” Leal shared first.
“I want to release my video part, not just one, but several, do lots of promos, and by 2028, I want to be on the cover of Thrasher magazine," she then added.
It’s a strong list, and with a determined air, Leal seems sure to achieve it. But before all that can happen, up first for the Brazilian will be a Street World Championships.
Already a two-time world champion and current world silver medallist, Leal will have a fight on her hands if she is to claim a third title at the Colle Oppio skatepark, with Japanese Olympic champions Nishiya Momiji, the Tokyo 2020 champ, and the newly minted Yoshizawa Coco, golden in at Paris 2024, in the mix.
Whatever challenges lay ahead this week, Leal seemed ready to embrace it.
Proud of herself for having overcome so much already this year, at this event, she is hoping for her best yet: "Each championship, each day, I'm overcoming myself more," she concluded. "So, I'm very happy that with that."