Italo Ferreira lifted the trophy at the Abu Dhabi stage of the World Surf League (WSL) by completing his series of remarkable performances, culminating in defeating Indonesian surfer Rio Waida in the final.
The event, held at the artificial wave pool on February 16, 2025, witnessed Ferreira's radiant skills, as he showcased absolute dominance from the very first round, needing only one entry to secure the title.
“I celebrated like Senna. It is a pride to represent Brazil, which has many warriors. I won this competition. A few years ago, I came second, and this motivated me to win. I dedicated myself 100%, and it happened. The pool limits some guys; you can see people's flaws. The waves are perfect, so you have to give your all. It's nice to see. Here, it's the same for everyone. I'm very happy to live this moment,” Ferreira remarked after the win, capturing the essence of his joy and the significance of the occasion.
Ferreira's path to the final was nothing short of impressive. He first faced Kanoa Igarashi, scoring 16.80 points to eliminate him. Next came Australian Jack Robinson, who had defeated Yago Dora; Ferreira scored 17.37 points, showcasing his prowess before advancing to the final.
During the decisive heat, Waida opened strongly with notable maneuvers, including two left tubes, earning him 7.83. Ferreira, undeterred, responded with exquisite performances, claiming 8.67 for his first right wave and following up with 8.60 for his left, giving him a total of 17.27 and effectively putting Waida in combination.
With pressure mounting, Waida could only manage 6.67 on his closing wave, knowing he had no chance of overturning the situation. Ferreira celebrated by donning the Brazilian flag, taking a victory lap after the final wave, relishing his achievement.
This win adds to Ferreira's legacy, solidifying his status not just as the first Olympic surfing champion, but also as a dominant force within the sport's competition. With this victory, Ferreira not only claimed the title but also ascended to the top of the WSL men's rankings with 16,085 points, outpacing Hawaii's Barron Mamiya, who has 11,330 points.
Caitlin Simmers also shone bright at the event, securing the women’s title by defeating Australia's Molly Picklum with scores of 16.10 to 15.70. “You have to use skill. It’s not like luck, as it often happens in the ocean. Here, the pool sends the wave, and you have to manage your score, and I think this makes this victory very special for me,” Simmers declared, reinforcing the challenge and excitement of competing on such controlled conditions.
This marks the fourth WSL event ever to be contested on complete artificial waves, with Brazilian surfers celebrating three victories so far. With Ferreira and Simmers both leading their respective rankings, excitement for the upcoming season is higher than ever.