Rebeca Andrade amazed the sports world, after she managed to take the gold medal from Simone Biles in the Floor Final, an achievement that few can boast of.
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Rebeca Andrade, the Brazilian who broke Simone Biles' dominance
The Brazilian showed that she was up to the challenge and put the American on the ropes, who had nothing but good words for her.
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Even, Biles left one of the most important images of Paris 2024, by acknowledging Rebeca's talent, as she bowed along with her teammate who won the bronze, Jordan Chiles.
"It was very nice of them. We were talking about what was happening. They are the best athletes in the world and what they have done means a lot to me. I feel honored because it has been huge and, in fact, we always support each other."
"I am very happy and I feel very humble to be in this position, which is very difficult to achieve. For me, it is an honor to represent Brazil, to show what is possible, and when we have a team that fights to achieve the same goal as you, things happen," Rebeca recounted.
Overcame poverty and took the gold
Rebeca's childhood was not easy, as she belonged to a family of five children who were solely supported by their mother, Rosa.
She worked cleaning houses, so keeping an eye on her children was not an easy task.
Even Andrade's aunt had to take her to work out of fear of leaving her alone. It was during one of those rides that Rebeca discovered a gym, and everything changed.
Little by little, they got her into gymnastics, but the economic support was not enough.
For this reason, her brother Emerson was the one who took her to train, although when he had to work he had to be absent.
Among all her siblings, they collaborated to ensure that her career took a good direction, and at the age of nine, she was invited to Curitiba, where she further developed her skills.
Her mother was criticized at that time, but today that sacrifice has its reward, with the gold medal obtained in Paris 2024.
"People said I was crazy for letting my daughter go, but I had the wisdom and open mind to let her pursue her dreams," Rosa revealed.