If you’ve ever seen the movie “City of God” then you’ve seen the streets Rafaela Silva grew up on.

After three long days she took the first gold medal for home country Brazil, she won the Judo Gold and celebrated in dramatic fashion.

The bow to the opponent ended and she rushed to the crowd who mobbed her with joy. Loudspeakers played through the favela streets, she is the hero they needed.

Growing up in the rough neigborhood she fought and fought until her parents took her to a Judo school run by Olympic bronze medallist Flavio Canto.

“God alone knows what I suffered to get here.”, that’s what is tattooed on her right bicep. And god knows, we probably will never know the half of it.

Last olympics she was disqualified for an illegal hold and then felt the pressure of racist commentary. The events led her to depression and a length of time not training. But she bounced back and here she is, she wants to be an inspiration to young girls, to all that need help believing they can reach their dreams!