Brazil’s Yago Dora wins Tahiti Pro round of 16

Brazilian Italo Ferreira had a day overflowing with strong emotions in the Teahupo’o (Tahiti) stage of the World Surfing League (WSL), having been eliminated from the competition when he was kicked out of the repechage, but on the other hand had his spot secured at the WSL Finals—the special stage where world titles are disputed among the top five in California in September—thanks to the victory of another Brazilian athlete, Yago Dora, on Thursday (Aug 18).

The day’s clashes kicked off with the last five heats in the first stage for men. The most remarkable moments did not come until later, though, as current world ranking leader Filipe Toledo lost 15.76 points to 14.83 to Australian Nathan Hedge and said goodbye to Teahupo’o.

Another contestant who bid farewell to Tahiti was Olympic champion Italo Ferreira. He was also eliminated in the repechage, but in a duel against another Brazilian athlete, Jadson André, who triumphed by 17.00 to 16.60.

However, Ferreira cast his sadness aside moments later, when also Brazilian Yago Dora defeated American Griffin Colapinto by 14.94 to 14.63, already in the round of 16, scoring the result that secures the Rio Grande do Norte–born surfer’s spot in the WSL Finals.

Brazil in the quarterfinals

Despite Italo Ferreira and Filipe Toledo’s elimination from the world’s top 5 in Teahupo’o, Brazil remains very much alive on Tahiti. In the quarterfinals, Yago Dora will face veteran Kelly Slater, with Caio Ibelli clash with Australian Nathan Hedge. Finally, Miguel Pupo duels Japanese Kanoa Igarashi.