Rayssa Leal

Rayssa Leal is a Brazilian professional skateboarder, born on January 4, 2008, in Imperatriz, Maranhão. She is widely recognized as one of the youngest and most talented skateboarders in the world. Leal started her skating career at an early age and rapidly gained international attention when a video of her performing a heelflip in a fairy costume went viral. She competes in the Street category, demonstrating exceptional technical skills and creativity in her performances.

Leal is known for her fearless approach, impressive consistency, and array of tricks. She has won numerous individual awards and holds several records, including being the youngest medalist in the history of the X Games.

Off the board, Leal is celebrated for her positive influence, inspiring young athletes worldwide, particularly girls in sports.

Early Career

• Start in Skateboarding: Leal started skateboarding at the age of 6, inspired by her older brother. She quickly developed her skills and gained recognition in her local skate community.

International Breakthrough

• Viral Video: In 2015, a video of 7-year-old Leal performing a heelflip in a fairy costume went viral. This brought her international attention and recognition from professional skateboarders, including Tony Hawk.

Competitive Career

• Youngest X Games Medalist: In 2019, at the age of 11, Leal became the youngest medalist in the history of the X Games, winning a silver medal in the Women's Street category.
  Success in Street League Skateboarding (SLS): Leal has competed in several SLS events, consistently finishing in top positions and winning the 2021 Salt Lake City event.

Brazilian National Team

• Debut: Leal made her debut for the Brazilian national team in 2019.

Achievements:

• World Skate Street Rankings: Leal is consistently ranked among the top skateboarders in the Women's Street category by World Skate.
  
• Olympics: Leal represented Brazil in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she won a silver medal in the Women's Street Skateboarding event at only 13 years old, making her one of the youngest Olympic medalists in history.

• Position: Competes in the Street category, performing tricks on urban obstacles such as stairs, rails, and ledges.
• Skills: Known for her technical skills, consistency, and creativity. Leal is celebrated for her fearless approach and array of tricks, including heelflips, kickflips, and grinds.

• Family: Leal lives with her parents and older brother in Brazil.
• Philanthropy: Leal actively participates in initiatives that promote skateboarding and sports among young girls.

• Rayssa Leal is celebrated not only for her extraordinary talent and numerous records at such a young age but also for her positive influence on the sport. Her success serves as an inspiration for young athletes, particularly girls, and contributes to the growth and popularity of women's skateboarding globally.

Youngest Medalist in X Games History:

• Won a silver medal at 11 years old

Street League Skateboarding:

• Winner of the 2021 Salt Lake City event

Olympic Medalist:

• Silver medalist in Women's Street Skateboarding at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Books

• None published yet.

Websites

• World Skate: Information about Rayssa Leal’s international career and rankings. Available at: https://www.worldskate.org
• X Games: Details about Leal’s career and achievements at the X Games. Available at: https://www.xgames.com
• Olympics: Official site with updates on Leal’s performance and achievements at the Olympics. Available at: https://www.olympics.com

Articles

• The Guardian: Rayssa Leal: the skater who went viral at seven now targeting Tokyo. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jan/21/rayssa-leal-skater-viral-video-tokyo-olympics
• ESPN: Rayssa Leal, the 11-year-old skateboarder, shows Brazil’s women the way. Available at: https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/27246420/rayssa-leal-11-year-old-skateboarder-shows-brazil-women-way

Interviews and Documentaries

• None available yet.