By: Redação UOL / Images: IF15 Social Media Team
What would you do after becoming Olympic and world champion? Eager to achieve new goals, surfer Italo Ferreira has sought to reinvent himself by stepping out of his comfort zone, absorbing ideas and seeking inspiration from rap and even the bodybuilding universe.
Bodybuilders aided in the title in Tahiti
Italo stirred up social media with his current physique, the result of training at his sponsor's gym focused on bodybuilders. Despite the different training focuses, the surfer has embraced the discipline of bodybuilders regarding both body and nutrition, and he sees the results already manifesting when he won the Teahupo'o stage in Tahiti at the end of May.
"It's one of the aspects I prioritize the most. I'm pushing myself to the maximum, whether I'm competing or not, and that comes with risks. I need to always be in top physical shape. I've been training with a different crowd, the bodybuilding community, who have a performance-oriented mindset. It's completely outside my world, but in the end, we're all pursuing the same goal, which is preparing to be the best in our respective fields. I've adapted a lot because these guys are all about training and performance. Before Teahupo'o, I spent about ten days training non-stop with them, and the simple adjustments I made to my routine already made a difference, resulting in my best performance of the year," said Italo, adding:
"It's not about getting 'shredded' [laughs], it's about being mentally sharp so that when the wave comes, I have no fear at all." - Italo Ferreira
His close friendship with rapper Lennon, L7, sparked his entrepreneurial spirit. Italo founded IF15 Sports, where he manages emerging Brazilian surfing talents like teenagers Carol Bastides and Arthur Vilar. L7, in turn, runs HHR (Hip Hop Rarer), a record label where he manages promising rap artists.
Italo subtly advertised both companies during the WSL press conference on Thursday (20). Sporting a Brazilian national football team shirt, he had the acronyms of both agencies written on the back: "IF15 and HHR."
"What's behind my shirt is IF15, my own company, and HHR, which belongs to Lennon. We met in life and became brothers. We end up helping each other out. I see him as an inspiration and learn a lot from him every day. I'm staying at his place here in Rio until I head to Saquarema, and it's been incredible to have this energy. Whenever we get together, the vibe is so good that things flow more naturally and lightly because you end up being a bit happier. When I'm with friends who are genuine and truly want to see you at the top, things change." - Italo Ferreira
Italo explained his business strategy and believes there will be a gap after the so-called Brazilian Storm. The Olympic and world champion predicts that the next generation of successful Brazilian surfers will come from the categories he is currently investing in, ranging from under-12s to under-15s.
"IF15 Sports sponsors Arthur Vilar and Carol Bastides. We're focusing on these two athletes as bets for the coming years. Arthur is a phenomenon. He's a kid who surfs incredibly well and has exceptional talent. Today, he's one of the biggest promises. I believe that after our generation, there will be a significant gap, and Arthur's generation is the one that will be able to compete head-to-head. So, we're investing in these kids to give them this opportunity, a path, a destination to follow. It's the same work that Lennon does at HHR as well. He has artists he manages, providing direct guidance and opportunities for them to shape their lives." - Italo Ferreira
Motivation after world and Olympic titles
Being Olympic and world champion isn't a reason for Italo to rest on his laurels. His love for surfing continues to flow through his veins, driving him toward new objectives.
"I'm the opposite [of being complacent]. I think for high-performance athletes and true competitors, this is what drives you. Striving to improve and challenge yourself every passing year. When you [the reporter] mentioned that I've already won the world and Olympic titles, that's the pinnacle for a sports athlete. And then you stop and think: 'What can I achieve now? Should I just stay in my place?' But when you really love what you do, you try even harder to improve. That's what I do, both physically and in terms of my performances and setbacks," evaluated Italo, concluding:
"This has been happening throughout all these years, both in victories and during the almost three-year break without winning. And now I was able to come back and win in Teahupo'o, a wave I had in mind that I could conquer, and this year it actually happened. So, for me, it's very rewarding to be able to continue at this pace, with the same level of performance, and challenging anyone who's there to compete. That's what shapes me."
