Olympic kitesurfer Bruno Lobo rescues drowning teenage girl in Brazil

Brazilian Olympic kitesurfer Bruno Lobo saves 15-year-old girl from drowning in rough waters at Praia do Olho.

Bruno Lobo, an Olympic kitesurfer who represented Brazil at the Paris 2024 Summer Games, saved a 15-year-old girl from drowning at Praia do Olho in São Luis, Maranhão, on Friday. Lobo, who was testing a new camera while kitesurfing, noticed Maria Duarte struggling to stay afloat in the rough waters. He quickly turned around and swam to her rescue, abandoning his board to help. Lobo guided Duarte back to his board and used his kite to bring them both safely to shore, where first responders provided aid.

Olympic kitesurfer Bruno Lobo rescues a 15-year-old girl from drowning.

Beast.

Lobo, who represented Brazil in the Paris 2024 Games, noticed a girl struggling to stay above the water while he was kitesurfing.

Once Lobo got to the girl, he had her wrap her arms around his neck… pic.twitter.com/ArKOeIN1OA

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 14, 2025

After the dramatic rescue, Lobo shared his thoughts on Instagram, downplaying his heroics: “I only did what needed to be done and what was within my reach!” Duarte, in turn, expressed immense gratitude, recalling how she prayed for a rescuer and described Lobo as an "angel" in her life. The two were reunited in a special ceremony on Monday, where Lobo received the Alferes Moraes Souto Medal, the highest honor from the Maranhão Military Fire Department.

Lobo’s actions highlighted not only his skill as a kitesurfer but also his quick thinking and compassion in the face of danger. A highly ranked athlete, Lobo is also an orthopedic surgeon. Despite his sports career, including a notable finish in the 2024 Olympics, Lobo described the rescue as his "greatest achievement"—further cementing his status as a hero both in and out of the water.