Hoping to infuse a spout of enthusiasm for the Olympics among our younger ranks, Tokyo 2021 is the first time that skateboarders have competed in the games. Kids around the world watched 3 teenagers step up on the victory podium: 13-year-old Momiji Nishiya in Gold, 13-year-old Rayssa Leal in Silver and 16-year-old Funa Nakayama in Bronze. What do we know about the Brazilian skateboarder that stole the show and our hearts?
Pronunciation of Rayssa Leal = hi-ee-sa / ley-ow
4 foot, 4 inch (1.32 metres) and 45kg (99.2 lbs)
13 years old (born 2008)
Brazilian
Instagram @rayssalealsk8 (6.3 Million followers)
Other Curiosities on Brazilian Skateboarder Rayssa Leal
Fadinha meaning ‘little fairy’ in Portuguese, is her now trademarked nickname. Springing from a viral video of her at 7, when she landed a heelflip trick dressed as a fairy.
When Ryassa swiped silver on July 25, 2021 she became the youngest Brazilian Olympic medalist.
Leal comes from Maranhão a state in the North of Brazil on the edge of the Amazon (State of Pará). Then to the right of Maranhão is Ceará, Brazil’s kitesurfing epicenter.
Rayssa Leal’s Competition Wins
Street League World Championships silver in São Paulo (2019)
Street League World Championships bronze in London (2019)
Street League World Championships gold in Los Angeles (2019)
Far’N High Women’s Winner in France (2019)
Brazilian Street Skateboarder Winner (2019)
Silver medal at Tokyo Olympics in Skate Street (2021)
What is Street Skate?
The Skate Street competition in the Olympics contains two sections. The freestyle run in Skate Street finals/ semifinals gives each athlete two 45 second runs around the whole arena. This is followed by 5 individually scored tricks on handrails. Each run and trick is worth 0-10.0 points.
The difference from Skate Park is that the arena features urban obstacles such as stairs, handrails, curbs, benches, walls and slopes. Whereas the Park arena is a hollowed-out space with various hollow domes. The aim of this sport is to gain greater heights to perform turns and tricks midair.
Catch the Olympic Skate Park Competition Next Week
Women’s Park Aug 3, 2021
Heats – 8:00 p.m – 10:48 p.m (USA East Time)
Final – 11:30 p.m (USA East Time)
Men’s Park Aug 4, 2021
Heats – 8:00 p.m – 10:48 p.m (USA East Time)
Final – 11:30 p.m (USA East Time)
