Surfing: Brazil dominates ISA Games, goes full force to Paris 2024
Brazilian surfing will be at full strength at the Paris Olympics, with six athletes (three in each gender) competing at Teahupo'o Beach in Tahiti, where the sport will be contested.
The additional spots were secured by Brazil on Sunday (Mar. 3) at the end of the World Surfing Games—the ISA Games—in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, which brought together athletes from more than 50 countries.
Three-time world champion Gabriel Medina won the ISA Games title and, in addition, secured his long-awaited Olympic berth. In the women's event, Tatiana Weston-Webb, already qualified for Paris, finished as runner-up, securing the country's third spot, which will go to Luana Silva, the daughter of Brazilians born in Hawaii. Luana also competed at the ISA Games but was eliminated in the fifth round of the play-off.
With Medina's victory, the Brazilian team scored the most points at the ISA Games: 3696, surpassing France (3360) in second place and Australia (2895) in third. The surfer, born in São Sebastião, São Paulo, will represent the country at the Paris Games alongside the already qualified Filipe Toledo, known as Filipinho, and João Chianca, known as Chumbinho.
"I didn't know if my spot would come, but I just tried to do my best. If I didn't go [to the Paris Games], someone else would, and that's it, we're a team. I think everyone was in that spirit, so it helps a lot, and I want to thank the Brazilian team who worked hard behind the scenes too," celebrated Medina, who had an undefeated campaign, winning eight heats plus the men's final at the ISA Games.
Tatiana Weston-Webb, the first female surfer to qualify for Paris 2024, was emotional at the end of the title decider. She secured Luana Silva's place at the Games, and the women's team will also include Tainá Henckel, who booked her place last Thursday in Arecibo.
"It means a lot not just to me, but to the team. We're always helping each other, we know how important it is. When I found out I'd won third place, it was very exciting," said Tatiana Weston-Webb, in a statement to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
