Leticia Bufoni has emerged as a prominent player in international skateboarding. Hailing from São Paulo, Brazil, she is not only accumulating wins but also reshaping perceptions in a field traditionally led by males.
A love affair ignited in the lanes of São Paulo
Leticia Bufoni discovered skateboarding at the age of 9 in her working-class neighborhood of Vila Matilde, São Paulo. Fascinated early on by the freedom the sport gave her, she trained daily in the streets of her city. However, her family environment wasn't immediately supportive: her father, unenthusiastic about seeing her practice a sport deemed masculine, broke her first board. Leticia didn't give up. Supported by her grandmother, she got a new board and pursued her passion with determination.
At just 14 years old, she made a radical decision: leaving Brazil to move to Los Angeles, USA, to compete in her first X Games. This move, motivated by the desire to make a career of it, marked a decisive turning point in her life. She then began competing with the best female skaters in the world.
An impressive track record
After making her professional debut, Leticia Bufoni has established one of the most outstanding histories in women's skateboarding.
- She secured 6 gold medals at the X Games between 2013 and 2018, with an impressive 3 of those being won in 2013 alone—a first-of-its-kind achievement for a woman skater.
- 12 medals in total at the X Games, making her the most decorated woman in X Games history in street skateboarding.
- SLS (Street League Skateboarding) World Champion in 2015, at the Super Crown World Championship, one of the most prestigious titles in the discipline.
- For four straight years from 2010 to 2013, she was ranked first in women's street skateboarding globally according to the World Cup Skateboarding rankings.
This voyage cements her status not just as an outstanding athlete, but also as a trailblazer for female skateboarding.
An international symbol, past the runways
Leticia Bufoni is not only known for walking the runways but has made significant strides off them too. In 2015, she became the inaugural female athlete signed by Nike SB, which helped elevate her profile globally. Additionally, she gained prominence through appearances in the well-known video game series; initially in "Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5" in 2015 and later in “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2” released in 2020, solidifying her position as a cultural phenomenon.
In 2018, Forbes magazine recognized her as one of the "25 Most Powerful Women in Sports" and also featured her in its "30 Under 30" list in Brazil, underscoring her impact extending well past sports.
A modern-day adventurer
Eagerly embracing fresh challenges, Leticia Bufoni shines not only in remarkable shows but also sets records. In 2022, she set a Guinness World Record with a groundbreaking stunt: executing a grind—a gliding maneuver along a rail—on a platform attached to the rear of an aircraft soaring at an elevation of 9,022 feet (around 2,750 meters). This unprecedented feat underscores her penchant for defying limits.
Meanwhile, she also dabbled in various extreme sports, particularly car rallies, where she joined Nitro Rallycross competitions.
An international skateboard ambassador
Between 2017 and 2022, Leticia Bufoni acted as the executive athlete ambassador for World Skate, which is the global governing body for skateboarding. In 2025, she took up the presidency of the International Skateboarding Technical Commission, making her the first female leader in this key role. She aims to advocate for athletes' rights and assist with the development of skateboarding as part of the Olympics.
Aside from her accomplishments, Leticia Bufoni serves as an inspiration to countless young girls, especially those in Latin America, who look up to her as a symbol of achievement, courage, and liberation. As an advocate for increasing female representation in athletics, she frequently leverages her platform to champion inclusivity and diversity. Her professional journey highlights not only her dedication to skateboarding but also her strong commitment to making the sport more equitable.