Introduction
Rayssa Leal is one of the biggest stars in global skateboarding. At just 17 years old, this young woman from Imperatriz, Maranhão, has captured hearts and podiums with her incredible talent and infectious joy. Known as the “Fadinha do Skate” (Little Fairy of Skateboarding), Rayssa began shining early and today stands as a symbol of resilience and fun in the sport. Born on January 4, 2008, she represents the best of Brazil on the skatepark, blending daring tricks with a smile that lights up everything. In this article, we trace her journey from her first rides to her latest challenges, highlighting victories that made history. With 2025 full of excitement, Rayssa continues to inspire an entire generation to grab a skateboard and soar high.
Early Life and Discovery of Skateboarding
A Childhood in Northern Brazil
Rayssa Mendes Leal was born in Imperatriz, the second-largest city in Maranhão, a region brimming with warmth and energy. Her parents, Haraldo Oliveira Leal and Lilian Mendes, always supported her dreams. She has a younger brother, Arthur, one of her biggest fans. The Leal family is humble but tightly knit, and it was in this environment that Rayssa found her true passion for skateboarding.
At six years old, Rayssa received her first skateboard as a gift from a family friend. It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with riding. Imperatriz lacked professional skateparks at the time, but the city’s streets became her perfect playground. Rayssa cruised around, teaching herself, falling, and getting back up with the determination of a child who knew that fun came with effort. Her parents recall her stubbornness: if she fell ten times, she’d try an eleventh without shedding a tear.
The Video That Changed Everything
The magic moment came in 2015 when Rayssa was just seven. Dressed as a fairy in a pink tulle skirt and wings, she landed a perfect heelflip down a tall staircase. Her mother, Lilian, filmed the moment and posted it on social media. The video exploded online, going viral in days. It racked up millions of views and messages of support from around the world. Even legendary American skater Tony Hawk saw it and shared it, calling her the “little Brazilian fairy.” That’s how Rayssa earned her nickname, “Fadinha do Skate,” which she proudly carries today.
The video wasn’t just cute; it showcased Rayssa’s raw talent. To the world, here was a child mastering difficult tricks with ease, as if dancing. From that moment, her family knew her destiny was big. They moved to Brasília for better training opportunities, and Rayssa began competing seriously. But the North never left her heart: Imperatriz remains home, and she returns often to inspire local kids.
Rise in the Skateboarding World
First Competitions and National Success
By age nine, Rayssa was already entering competitions. In 2018, at ten, she competed in bigger events and stunned everyone with her podium finishes. In Brazil, street skateboarding was growing, and Rayssa was a rising star. She won multiple stages of the STU, Brazil’s national circuit, and stood out for her boldness. Tricks like kickflips, heelflips, and grinds on high rails became her signature. Coaches saw a rare blend in her: precise technique and a joy that uplifted others.
In 2019, Rayssa debuted at the X Games, the world’s top extreme sports festival. She placed fourth in both Minneapolis and Oslo. At 11, she was the youngest in the women’s final at the Street League Skateboarding (SLS), outshining names like Pamela Rosa. This marked the start of an era of victories. Rayssa traveled the world, representing Brazil with flags on her chest and smiles on her face. Her parents and brother always accompanied her, forming an unbeatable team.
International Stardom and First World Titles
Rayssa’s rise was meteoric. In 2021, she won the first SLS stage in Salt Lake City, USA. Needing 8.3 points to surpass Japan’s Funa Nakayama, she nailed an 8.5 on her final attempt. The crowd roared, and Rayssa jumped for joy. That year, she dominated the league, winning the Super Crown in Rio de Janeiro before a frenzied Brazilian crowd.
The following years were a reign of dominance. Rayssa became a three-time Super Crown champion in 2022, 2023, and 2024. She amassed 13 SLS stage victories, more than any other woman in the category. At the X Games, she won gold in Chiba (2022) and Japan (2023). Her trophy collection is staggering: silvers, bronzes, and golds from around the globe. At 17, Rayssa is already an icon, with sponsors like Nike SB, Monster Energy, and April Skateboards. Yet her humility shines: she always says skateboarding is about fun, not just competition.
Olympic Moments: Unforgettable Silver and Bronze
Tokyo 2020: The Silver That Captured the World
The Tokyo Olympics, postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic, were the perfect stage for Rayssa to shine. At 13, she was the youngest member of Brazil’s delegation. In the women’s street skateboarding event, the course was a challenge: rails, gaps, and ledges that pushed limits. Rayssa fell on her first run but bounced back with clean tricks. She finished with silver, behind Japan’s Momiji Nishiya. The world watched in awe: the Brazilian fairy, teary-eyed, raising her medal. She became Brazil’s youngest Olympic medalist ever, and the nation celebrated. Rayssa returned as a hero, with parades in Imperatriz and Brasília.
That silver changed everything. Rayssa gained global visibility but also faced pressure. She learned to handle expectations early, with help from a sports psychologist. “Skateboarding taught me to fall and get up,” she said at the time. Her family celebrated with a crowdfunding campaign to support their return to Imperatriz, showing the power of public support.
Paris 2024: The Bronze That Brought Tears of Joy
Three years later, in Paris 2024, Rayssa returned more mature. At 16, she defended her silver and dreamed of gold. The final was intense, with strong competitors like Australia’s Chloe Covell and Japan’s Aoi Uemura. Rayssa landed a kickflip fs boardslide and a bs smith grind, earning high scores. But a fall on her final trick left her with bronze. Still, it was pure emotion: she cried in her parents’ arms, and Brazil cheered again. Two Olympic medals before 17—a rare feat.
The Paris bronze cemented Rayssa’s legacy. She posed with her medal in front of the Eiffel Tower, inspiring girls worldwide. “It’s to show that dreaming big is worth it,” she said. The Games also highlighted skateboarding’s growth as an Olympic sport, thanks to athletes like her.
Achievements in 2025: A Year of Highs and Lows
Victories That Marked the Calendar
The 2025 season started strong for Rayssa. In March, she was confirmed as a playable character in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, alongside legends like Tony Hawk and Bob Burnquist. The trailer featured her in action, set to a Marcelo D2 soundtrack, and the July release thrilled fans. “Becoming a game character is a childhood dream,” Rayssa said.
On the skatepark, she owned SLS Miami in May. Rayssa dominated the final with 32.1 points, landing three consecutive tricks (7.6, 8.4, and 8.6), beating Chloe Covell. It was her 13th SLS win, her fourth season opener in five years. In July, she shone at SLS Brasília, winning at home with a kickflip fs boardslide (6.8) and bs smith grind (7.0). The Brazilian crowd went wild, and Rayssa dedicated the trophy to her brother Arthur.
At the STU Pro Tour in Porto Alegre in March, Rayssa chose Brazil to start the year “lighter.” “We’re not just focusing on competitions; we’re evolving and having fun,” she said. She reached the semis and finals, boosting national skateboarding. In July, she posted a photo of her trophy collection, stunning the internet: golds from STU, SLS, and X Games filled the shelf.
Recent Challenges and Resilience
Not everything was smooth in 2025. In June, at the Rome World Cup, Rayssa missed the final, facing online criticism. She responded with grace: “Go try it yourself.” The most recent moment came in October at SLS Paris, held at Roland Garros. For the first time, the league took over the tennis complex, turning clay courts into a street course. Rayssa started strong with a 7.9 run, leading her group. But four falls on a 5-meter rail in the trick section eliminated her in the qualifiers. She finished fourth, watching Aoi Uemura win.
The elimination stung, but Rayssa responded with maturity. In an Instagram Live on October 12, she said, “I gave my all. Our strategy was to skate for the love of it, not just for titles.” She brushed off haters: “I do therapy to not feel bad about irrelevant criticism.” At 17, Rayssa prioritizes mental health, family, and fun. Next up is Las Vegas, where she plans to tweak her training.
Personal Life and Social Impact
Family, Friends, and Daily Life
Off the skatepark, Rayssa is a typical teenager. She lives in Brasília with her parents and brother, trains daily, but loves a family barbecue or hanging out with skater friends like Filipe Mota and Gabryel Aguilar. She studies online to balance school and travel. Sponsors like Nike and Monster help, but Rayssa values her fans’ support most. In Imperatriz, she built a community skatepark, teaching girls to skate for free.
Rayssa is evangelical and credits her success to God. “Everything is a blessing,” she says. Her social media, with over 5 million Instagram followers, is full of positive messages. She speaks out about bullying—she faced it as a girl in skateboarding—and encourages others: “Fell? Get up and try again.”
Legacy and Inspiration for Girls
Rayssa has transformed skateboarding in Brazil. Before her, few girls competed; now, there are entire teams. As a World Skate ambassador, she inspires with her story: from a viral video to a double Olympic medalist. In 2025, her trophy collection—posted in July—shows 19 podiums in 21 SLS stages. But her greatest legacy is her joy: Rayssa proves that sports are about fun, not pressure.
Future and Dreams
Plans for the Rest of 2025 and Beyond
With the Super Crown in September in Washington, D.C., Rayssa aims for a fourth world title. “It’s gonna be wild,” she jokes. She wants more golds in SLS and X Games. Off the skatepark, she dreams of expanding the Imperatriz skatepark and possibly studying physical education. At 17, her future is bright: Los Angeles 2028 is already calling.
Rayssa plans a more balanced 2026, focusing on personal growth. “I want new tricks in practice and more fun,” she says. With therapy and family, she handles highs and lows like no one else.
Conclusion
Rayssa Leal is more than a skater: she’s a whirlwind of positivity. From Imperatriz to the world, she’s soared high, falling and rising with grace. In 2025, victories in Miami and Brasília contrast with stumbles in Rome and Paris, but they show her strength. The Little Fairy continues to enchant, proving skateboarding is for everyone. Here’s to more rides, more medals, and more smiles. Rayssa, Brazil loves you!
