Life was certainly not easy for Brazilian Olympian Rafaela Silva. The 24-year-old judoka grew up in Cidade de Deus, a favela (slum) in Rio de Janeiro’s West Zone and the backdrop of the eponymous crime drama, City of God. According to a 2013 report by the BBC, the city “became notorious for its gangsters, criminals and dangerous streets.”
However, when Silva returned to CDD (as Cidade de Deus is often called by the locals), there was nothing but joy. Having recently won a gold medal in the 57-kilogram women’s division in judo, Silva was given a hero’s welcome when she arrived back in her hometown.
You can check out the entire from England’s The Telegraph below.
