Sevens rugby star & cancer survivor honoured as a Paris Olympics flag bearer for Brazil

Breast cancer survivor Raquel Kochhann will have the incredible honour of leading Brazil into the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games at Stade de France after being named one of the nation’s flag bearers.

Kochhann will also join teammate and captain Luiza Campos as the only members of Brazil’s rugby sevens ‘Yaras’ to play at a third Games. But the 31-year-old’s journey to these history-making moments has been anything but easy.

As a veteran on the SVNS Series, Kochhann has impressed on the field as a disciplined defender and proven leader, but it’s stories like this that transcend sport. The Brazilian noticed a lump on her breast in 2021 and consulted Team Brazil doctors during the Tokyo Olympics.

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Nothing was detected at the time, but unfortunately, that’s not the end of that story. Kochhann suffered a serious right knee injury during Brazil’s 28-point loss to England at the Toulouse Sevens in 2022, which was later confirmed to be an ACL tear.

But the lump had also doubled in size. After a biopsy, cancerous cells were detected, including metastasis in the sternum. That diagnosis kept Brazil’s No. 10 on the sidelines for about two years as she underwent treatment including chemotherapy.

Incredibly, Kochhann kept active during that period by training with her Brazil sevens teammates. That decision was made in an effort to strengthen her mental fortitude during the treatment process.

Kochhann returned to rugby in December 2023 by playing for Charrua Rugby Clube in the Brazilian Competition. The next month, the Brazilian was included in the team to play at SVNS Perth at HBF Park in Western Australia.

“It’s really exciting to be here again. It was a long time so two years out. Now to be here again with my teammates, enjoying every game, every moment, it’s incredible,” Kochhann told RugbyPass in January.

“It’s hard to explain in words.

“The feeling (when I ran onto the field) was that I need to do my best… not just for me but for everyone that’s supporting me.”

Kochhann wore the No. 10 jersey for most of the 2023/24 SVNS Series season and played a leading role in some promising results.

To name one moment, the playmaker kicked a conversion in Brazil’s 12-5 win over Tokyo Olympic bronze medallists Fiji in Vancouver. Brazil had lost to Fiji by 25 points in a one-sided contest when Kochhann returned to the Series in Perth.

The 31-year-old also wore Brazil’s iconic yellow jersey at Los Angeles’ Dignity Health Sports Park, at the world-famous Hong Kong Sevens, and was back for the Grand Final in Madrid after missing the final regular season leg in Singapore.

But generally speaking, Kochhann has been a leader to many – not just the other Yaras in the squad or even rugby fans for that matter. The Brazilian’s journey back to the SVNS Series, and now having the chance to be a flag bearer for Brazil, goes to show that anything is “possible.”

“I think everyone that has a dream or wants something, (they can) fight for that. It’s possible,” Kochhann added during an interview in Perth.

“(There’s nothing) you can’t achieve. Everything you really want, you can be there.”

Brazil are in a tough pool at the Paris Games with Olympic hosts France, the USA and Japan. The Japanese hit some form towards the backend of the SVNS Series season, which included a 26-12 win over Argentina in Madrid to retain core status for next season.

France and the USA will also go into the tournament believing they can leave with a medal after some strong performances on the Series. Their squad includes Seraphine Okemba, Caroline Drouin, Carla Neisen and Chloe Pelle.

Brazil take on France in their first match on July 28.