Brazil has never had a gymnast as technical and versatile as Rebeca. Until now, the greatest moments of national gymnastics were those of Arthur Zanetti, on the rings, and Daiane dos Santos, on the floor.
The athlete, 22, took aim at the Tokyo Olympics stage to shine and achieved unprecedented silver in the Brazilian women's modality.
Among the best in the world in vaulting and in the floor exercise, the São Paulo native is known for her clean movements and concentration. In recent months, she reinforced the last ingredient she needed to fight for the podium: confidence.
The absence of American Simone Biles increased the medal chances. It was up to Rebeca to repeat the good execution of the qualifying phase. An almost unimaginable performance for someone who had to undergo three surgeries to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee and has no alternative but to continue forcing it.
Her coach, Francisco Porath Neto, saw a stronger athlete. Unlike Rio-2016, when she finished 11th, Rebeca remained among the best and can now celebrate her entry into gymnastics history.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon