Rayssa Leal on prioritising mental health after rapid rise: “Everything happened very fast”
In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com ahead of the skateboarding street world championships in Sharjah, Brazil’s star skater opened up on her life since her Olympic debut and why, despite the challenges, skating will always feel like home.
Skateboarding
Change is a thing skateboarder Rayssa Leal has come to understand better than most.
Just 13 years old when she struck silver during the inaugural women’s street contest at Tokyo 2020, growing in the literal sense was always going to be inevitable. But it is the growth she has encountered in other ways that the 15-year-old has had to adjust to.
Sitting for an Olympics.com interview as the glowing Emirati sun began to set on the eve of the Skateboarding Street World championships 2022 in 2023, the Brazilian paused to reflect when asked about the life she once knew and the life she now knows.
“The difference between Olympics Rayssa, two years ago, and today, is that I have grown up,” she says simply.
“I'm stronger now, both physically and mentally. I believe I'm much more ambitious now. I want to get on the podium, I want to go for the first place - I know I can do it.
"I've also changed some of my tricks," she adds. "I have very heavy tricks now."
Rayssa Leal: Using a sports psychologist to tackle her fears
Few would deny Leal’s increasing hunger when it comes to producing results.
Late last year she swept the Street League Skateboarding series, going undefeated at all three tour stops before claiming the coveted crown in front of a raucous home crowd in Rio de Janeiro.
It was a display of total dominance but to Leal, it meant more than just that.
Over a year ago the young Brazilian started seeing a sports psychologist to help her overcome mental barriers that had begun to take hold and it is a decision she shares with pride and gratitude in equal measure:
“It's been really important to me. I was so scared of contests, always thinking 'but what if I don't do well?' I was afraid of the obstacles, of them being too high. I know I can go for it, but my mind would be like 'don't try'.
“My psychologist has been helping me unblock that and thank God it's been going really well. We've been together for almost a year now, and it was one of the best things that happened to me as an athlete.
“I'm still super young, and everything happened very fast in my life. Her help has been essential to me.”
Rayssa Leal: Following in Leticia Bufoni's footsteps
Another difference for Leal since the Games in Japan has been taking on the mantle of role model.
From the day she went viral as the seven-year-old Fadinha do Skate (skateboard fairy) after Tony Hawk shared a video of her kickflipping down a set of stairs, the Brazilian has known the spotlight. But it is when skaters and non-skaters alike call the Brazilian as an inspiration that it catches her by surprise:
“I always say that Leticia (Bufoni) was always an inspiration to me since I was very little, and she still is, both as a person and as an athlete. And now I'm always really happy when little girls come up to me and tell me they’ve started riding because of me. That they saw me, liked it, and asked their parents to let me skateboard.
“I'm really happy to be an inspiration, not just to people my age, but to people older than me as well.
“Everyone who's here with me is also inspiring me to keep going. Filipe (Mota), Marina (Gabriela), and so many others who are with me every day, including my brother.”
Given the scrutiny that comes with being someone others look up to, it would be easy for Leal to allow their expectations to weigh down on her. The Brazilian, however, insists that isn’t the case.
Finding joy in skateboarding is what allows her to be her best self, and with the support of those around her, it’s something just she is able to keep doing:
“I just have fun. Skateboarding is something I love. If it's up to me, I'll never stop skateboarding,” Leal says.
“I also have the help of my parents and my staff, they're always there for me. I know if I need anything, they'll be there to help me. So, we all work on that. The more fun I have, the less pressure I feel. When I'm free, just naturally on my skateboard, that's when I feel at home.”
Watch live: Rayssa Leal at 2022 Street Skateboarding World Championships in 2023
With her impressive run of recent results, Leal arrives at the Aljada skatepark in Sharjah as one of the favourites to claim the world title in the women's street contest. But the challenge before the reigning Olympic silver medallist won't be easy with fellow Tokyo 2020 podium finishers, Nishiya Momiji and Nakayama Funa also in the field at the Paris 2024 qualifier.
The Brazilian's journey at the Street Skateboarding World championships 2022 in will be available to watch on the Olympic Channel via Olympics.com with a livestream beginning with the semi-finals on Saturday 4 February.
You can find all the latest on your favourite skateboarders including news, interviews and updates from Sharjah, on Olympics.com.