“I don’t think at all about the others. If I am focused on what they are doing, I am not focused on me,” Rebeca Andrade told The Associated Press. As the 2024 Paris Olympics draw near, this tenet might just become the driving force for her impending successes. Should Simone Biles, shiver her timbers yet? Maybe so, what with Andrade’s journey being nothing short of inspiring. Born on May 8, 1999, in Guarulhos, Brazil, Andrade grew up in a single-parent family as one of eight children.

Her passion for gymnastics ignited at just four years old, with encouragement from her aunt, leading her to move from Curitiba to Rio de Janeiro in pursuit of superior training. With her Afro-Brazilian heritage and bilingual abilities as a testament to her diverse background, there’s going to be a sizzle and a sparkle on the stage as Andrade and Biles are set to captivate the gymnastics world. But it would be pertinent to understand what makes Andrade tick and who she actually is, beneath the competitive facade.

Rebeca Andrade’s resilient journey: From junior triumphs to senior challenges

Rebeca Andrade, has humble beginnings but rising from those challenges and becoming the victor herself has been a true tale to tell. In 2012, Andrade became a kind of phenomenon with her debut on the international stage, winning gold medals in all events, including vault and floor exercises. She was soon to follow her triumphs of the past year by adding the Junior South American Championships to her kitty as well, Nadia Comăneci Invitational, and Gymnasiade in 2013. Clarion call for a young superstar much? Yep, that was exactly what was happening!

In 2014, Andrade made a big splash with additional gold medals at the WOGA Classic and Junior Pan American Championships. However, her promising career took a turn for the worse in the summer of that year when injury forced her out of the Youth Games. She said to CGTN America, “The hardest part was the financial aspect”. But, what remains intact is her mother’s support saying, “My mother walked to work so that I could use her bus pass to go to the gym with my brother, so I am very grateful to her and my sibling who made my dream possible,” indicating that her support has helped her lay a foundation for her goals.

In 2015, Rebeca Andrade’s senior-level debut was a series of excellent performances at World Cup tournaments galore. But disaster struck when an ACL injury meant she had to miss the big competitions. Nevertheless, this setback did not deter her from returning to competition triumphantly in the spring of 2016 with bronze medals on both uneven bars and floor exercise at the Olympic Test Event and the City of Jesolo Trophy, respectively.

There were difficult years ahead for Andrade, as she suffered further injuries. 2017 witnessed yet another ACL injury, with the result that she was forced to skip Sweden’s World Championships. And 2018-2019 saw her come back from a second torn ACL. She participated in the World Championships and won in various standings at World Cup events, but by then, all of her wear and tear added a layer of poignance to her tale. Throughout her journey, Andrade’s battle against injury and her impressive career highlights make her one of the sport’s most resilient competitors and Paris? Might be a cinch for her after all. 

Rebeca Andrade’s comeback with celebrity status and World Champion glory

Rebeca Andrade’s journey over the past years has truly been extraordinary. Despite disruptions to her schedule from the ongoing pandemic and battling COVID-19 herself, she persevered in her training by relocating to Portugal. In 2021, Andrade achieved two historic firsts, capturing an Olympic silver on vault and becoming the first Brazilian woman to stand atop the podium in the all-around, adding gold. This was accompanied by multiple medals at the World Championships. Her triumphs in 2022 expanded with another first – as the inaugural South American champion in the all-around competition.

In 2023, she collected more medals at both Worlds and the Pan American Games, demonstrating her continued dominance. Known for her unwavering spirit and determination, Andrade has confronted adversity with courage, undergoing three reconstructive surgeries for her right knee after working with a psychologist to employ visualization techniques, taking inspiration from her fellow countrywoman and role model, renowned Brazilian gymnast Daiane dos Santos. Gaining widespread fame and acclaim across Brazil, Rebeca Andrade has been featured in Vogue Brasil in October 2021.

Rebeca Andrade, who won all-around silver and vault gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, graces the cover of Brazilian Vogue. “I am so happy about this,” Andrade shared in her Instagram story. “It was such a big secret to keep.” As she looks forward to the Games, the gymnastics community and her supporters eagerly anticipate how her remarkable journey will unfold on the global stage.