On October 26, Parque da Cidade Sarah Kubitschek in Brasília hosted the STU National Street Finals 2025, where young skateboarders shone with emotional victories in men's and women's categories. Sixteen-year-old Matheus Mendes became the youngest champion in the men's event, while 18-year-old Maria Almeida claimed the women's title. The competition highlighted resilience, skill, and the rise of Brazilian skateboarding.
The STU National Street Finals 2025 took place on October 26 at Parque da Cidade Sarah Kubitschek in Brasília, showcasing Brazil's emerging skateboarding talent. In the men's category, 16-year-old Carioca Matheus Mendes won his first professional final, becoming the circuit's youngest champion. Son of a professional skater, he started skating at age two in Rio de Janeiro's Praça do Ó. His father, Wallace Mendes, known as Belo, said: “I always encouraged him, always pushed him, showed him the talent he had. Today, the focus is all on him”.
The men's podium was completed by 20-year-old Sebastian Simonetto from Curitiba in second place, and 24-year-old Vinicius Costa from Fortaleza in third. Simonetto, son of a skater, impressed with clean technique and will head to Street League next week, aiming for the 2026 world circuit. He remarked: “It was magical, I didn't believe it at first, but then it sank in. I'm very happy with the result. It wasn't what I wanted, of course, but it's okay. The nerves are part of it”. Vinicius returned after nearly two years sidelined by knee and shoulder surgeries, embodying resilience.
Twenty-five-year-old São Paulo native Gabryel Aguilar missed the final due to an ankle sprain in the semifinal but was crowned overall circuit champion, having won two of the three season stages.
In the women's event, 18-year-old Maria Almeida from Lauro de Freitas (BA) claimed the title, inspired by Rayssa Leal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Despite knee pain, she said: “It hasn't sunk in. I was worried because my knee is really sore, but I prayed a lot and asked God to help me nail my line. And He knows what He's doing. Thank God it all went right on the first run. The crowd's energy helped me a lot too”. She thanked injured Duda Ribeiro for support and now holds titles from Porto Seguro (2024), Criciúma (2025), and Brasília.
Twenty-two-year-old Carla Karolina from Maceió (AL) took second, praising the rising women's level: “I'm so happy. The women's skate level is getting higher and higher, so we have to push each other more. I just wanted to hit the course, do what I trained, and have it go well. Thanks to God and the STU crew”. Twenty-eight-year-old Gabi Mazetto from São Paulo placed third, returning after a pregnancy that delayed her Tokyo Olympic cycle and an elbow surgery in September 2024; she competed in Paris 2024 as Brazil's only mother on the team (11th place). She stated: “First, I have to thank God and the people around me. Now I'm injury-free, and it's great to be skating again. [...] I want to keep evolving and show my daughter it's worth believing”.
The event underscored skateboarding's inclusivity, with women leading rankings and turning the sport into a culture of empathy and strength in Brazil.