 |
 |
 |
| BIO - AWARDS - QUOTATIONS |
| The following year she came back, but this time it was different. She arrived Manila to become the only female athlete in Philippine history to be mobbed for autographs. In the games of 2000, announcing that she would retire after the Sydney Olympics, she swooned the crowd once again with her superb volleyball talent and continued to melt the hearts of Filipinos everywhere. The stadium, jam-packed to the roof, echoed chants of “Leila! Leila! Leila!” and pledges of adoration from fans came from every corner whenever Leila took the serve and leaped for a powerful spike. Fans would wait for hours in the hotel lobby just to get a glimpse, a photo, and an autograph of their much-loved idol. And Leila graciously took the time to talk to her fans and pose for another picture and another picture and another. She was again awarded the Most Popular Player for the World Grand Prix 2000 and as she accepted the award, the sold out crowd poured out their overflowing admiration and chanted her name, which brought Leila to tears. Her face was everywhere, from every magazine to TV news to unlicensed posters being sold in the sidewalks. This time around, Leila was Brazil and Brazil was Leila. To the Filipino fans, nothing else mattered. |
 |
 |
 |
| World Grand Prix 2000 - Most Popular Player |
| Leila is brought to tears by the overwhelming support from her 'Pinoy' fans (2000) |
| World Grand Prix 1999 Most Popular Player |
| In the same year, Leila was awarded COB (Brazilian Olympic Committee) Athlete of the Year together with Tennis superstar Gustavo Kuerten. In 2001, Leila garnered the no. 21 position in a survey conducted by a Brazilian magazine, “Isto É Gente”, for Brazil’s 50 Most Beautiful Women, wherein Leila was the only athlete in the list dominated by models and actresses. |
 |
 |
| Brazil's 50 Most Beautiful Women 2001 |
| COB Athlete of the Year 2001 |
| Back in the Philippines, Leila was voted in FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World for the year 2000 and 2001. |
| Leila then moved on to Beach Volleyball wherein she was part of the All-Star team which won several tournaments held all over Brazil. Together with Atlanta Olympic Gold medallist Sandra Pires as her partner, they joined the world renowned FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tournament, which is held all over the world. Her stint in Beach Volleyball lasted only for one year and a half, when Leila decided to return to indoor volleyball. In 2003, Leila was awarded by “Esporte Espectacular” (a famous TV Sports show in Brazil) for the Brazil’s Most Beautiful Athlete. She received 60,250 votes as compared to the other nominees Ana Paula (Beach Volleyball) with 17,405 and Fernanda Keller (Triathlon) with 14,458. |
 |
 |
| Esporte Espectacular 203 Most Beautiful Athlete |
| VIP Magazine Brazil Aug 2004 |
| In 2004 Leila came back to the Philippines. It has been 4 years since she has stepped onto our shores and there is no doubt the “Leila-mania” factor is still as strong as ever. From the time she stepped out of the plane, airport employees scrambled around to get a glimpse and a photo of the much-awaited player. When she came out of the airport a mob of fans waiting in the visitors area, screamed and waved at her. |
| Fans waited for her arrival in the hotel, followed her around when she would visit the malls and showered her with gifts. Fans traveled from as far as Cebu to watch Leila Barros in action. When it came time for volleyball, Leila was greeted the same way she was back in 1999 and 2000. |