Rayssa Leal, the 17-year-old Brazilian skateboard phenomenon, has once again made history by winning her third consecutive Liga Mundial de Skate Street (SLS) Super Crown title on December 15, 2024, at the Ginásio do Ibirapuera, São Paulo. This remarkable achievement marks her as the first female athlete to attain such a milestone in this prestigious competition.
Competing before an electrifying crowd of 16,000 spectators, Rayssa, affectionately known as "Fadinha" or "Little Fairy," demonstrated remarkable resilience during the final. After struggling in her initial attempts and finishing behind her rivals, she delivered the performance of her career when it mattered most. Her final move scored her a stunning 9.1, clinching the victory with a total score of 35.4 points. Following her were Australia's Chloe Covell and Japan's Yumeka Oda, with scores of 35.2 and 33.7 points, respectively.
The competition unfolded with Rayssa facing significant pressure. After her first two attempts resulted in errors, she found herself trailing behind top competitors, including Olympic champion Coco Yoshizawa. Yet, Leal's determination shone through as she rebounded spectacularly during her last three performance efforts, earning scores of 9.1, 8.7, and another 9.1, all of which left fans cheering.
“Tudo isso que aconteceu hoje vale mais do que esse troféu,” Rayssa expressed, reflecting on her win. “Reviravolta, errei as duas primeiras tentativas. Estava nervosa, não vou mentir,” she confessed, acknowledging the challenge she faced and the support from her family and friends.
The structure of the SLS competition allowed for maximum excitement. Athletes had two opportunities for runs of 45 seconds each and five attempts for individual tricks, with the best scores from both segments contributing to the final tally. This setup placed immense stakes on each trick performed, particularly as only the best three tricks counted.
Leal's success is not merely due to her talent; the strategic guidance of her coach Felipe Gustavo, who implemented effective training regimes, was instrumental. “Felipe fez uma estratégia sensacional, sabe todos os meus pontos,” she mentioned, credited him for knowing her capabilities and pushing her to be her best.
Reaction to her victory was electric. The crowd erupted as she transitioned from third to first on her final attempt, embracing the cheers from the stands. The moment encapsulated her previous victories and solidified her place as one of the world's leading female skateboarders. The energy was palpable, and celebrations spread throughout Ibirapuera.
After the event, she took time to appreciate the friendships formed within the sport, highlighting the camaraderie shared among athletes. “Vocês viram a realidade do skate, a amizade, a família,” she stated, emphasizing the community aspect of skateboarding.
Rayssa's heartfelt reflections on the year's challenges also stood out. Despite experiencing stress and setbacks, she categorized the year as “um ano muito bom, de muito aprendizado, física e mentalmente.”
With this triumph, she plans to target even greater achievements, aspiring to match or surpass iconic figures like Najah Houston, who holds the record with five SLS championships to his name. Rayssa has consistently proven herself on the world stage, collecting other accolades, including Olympic medals and victories at X-Games events.
Following the event, the emotional athlete expressed her gratitude and excitement over the triumph: “Foi um ano difícil, driblamos as dificuldades e deu tudo certo. É tudo ou nada.” Her narrative of overcoming adversity resonates with many and serves as inspiration for future generations of skateboarders.
Rayssa Leal's incredible third consecutive championship not only signifies her impressive career but also highlights the growth and potential of women's skateboarding globally. The sport’s popularity is surging, and with role models like Rayssa leading the way, the future looks bright for aspiring skaters.
