By: Redação GE e O Globo / Image: WSL
In the Brazilian final, Olympic Champion from the Northeast defeated Yago Dora in the final.
Italo Ferreira won the WSL CT Saquarema event (Rio de Janeiro), the Vivo Rio PRO, on the afternoon of Friday, June 28th. The Brazilian now occupies fourth place in the season's rankings, where the top five secure a spot in the WSL Finals.
"God fulfilled my dream. We prayed a lot these past few days at my home. It's all God, there's no other way to explain it. Throughout my entire life, all my victories, everything I achieved today is for the honor and glory of the Lord. It's not my talent, there's no use trying with just physical strength, it won't happen. So I entrusted it to God's hands and just let it happen. He did the work and I just did the easier part," said Italo Ferreira, deeply emotional after the victory.
Since 2017, when WSL decided to make Saquarema the official location for the Brazilian stage of the World Tour, no foreigner has managed to lift the championship trophy in the men's division. It was Brazil's fifth consecutive title at Itaúna beach, confirming the Brazilian dynasty in Saquarema once again this season.
In an all-Brazilian final, Italo Ferreira defeated Yago Dora, the current champion of the stage, lifted the trophy in Rio de Janeiro for the first time in his career, and moved up to fourth place in the rankings.
With this victory, the Brazilian took another important step towards reaching the WSL Finals, which bring together the top five surfers of the season for the grand finale in California. The last stage of the World Tour will be in Fiji, from August 20th to 29th.
Before that, the athlete will be a surfing commentator for Globo during the Paris Olympics, which will be held in Teahupoo from July 27th to August 5th.
Italo will also be present at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics, directly from the River Seine in Paris, scheduled for July 26th, 2024.
The victory was dedicated to his father Luizinho Ferreira, who was with the athlete throughout the event and experienced all the emotions alongside his son.
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