Brazil’s Filipe Toledo has finally realised his dream of winning a World Title when he defeated fellow Brazilian Italo Ferreira in the Rip Curl WSL Finals held at Lower Trestles, California this week.
Twenty-seven-year-old Toledo has spent the previous nine years of his career battling with the world’s best surfers. Qualifying for the CT in 2013, Toledo’s career has accounted for some of the sport’s wildest highlights from his Perfect 10s across the globe to 13-career CT event victories, and now adding the prestigious World Title.
The men’s Title Match finished out the day with an in-form Italo Ferreira (BRA), charging from the first heat of the day, and Toledo taking the stage. Toledo was the first competitor of the day able to take down Ferreira in the first match of three, inching his way closer to the World Title. The final match of the day was a close one. Each competitor left it all on the table in the final – the closest match of the day. In the end, Toledo emerged victorious and finally claimed the elusive WSL World Title.
“It doesn’t get much better than this,” said Toledo. “This is for Brazil, for my family, and for you all here. First of all I want to thank Jesus. What he did for all my life and the last week, and the entire year. I kept calm and collected with help from the guy up there. Last night we had a moment with Pastor John, Terry, my wife and whole family and two words that he gave to us were peace and power. That’s what I had all day.”
“This is for Brazil, for my family, and for you all here. First of all I want to thank Jesus. What he did for all my life and the last week, and the entire year. I kept calm and collected with help from the guy up there. Last night we had a moment with Pastor John, Terry, my wife and whole family and two words that he gave to us were peace and power. That’s what I had all day.”
The Brazilian’s commitment to his family and his craft is more apparent than ever. Traveling with them to each event and dominating the 2022 CT season with five Final appearances, including two wins, and flourishing in his Title Match against compatriot Ferreira.
“Whoever is chasing your dreams, it does pay off,” added Toledo. “It’s hard, you get tired, there are a lot of ups and downs, and bad thoughts, but we did it. We did it.”
“Whoever is chasing your dreams, it does pay off. It’s hard, you get tired, there are a lot of ups and downs, and bad thoughts, but we did it. We did it.”
An immaculate run from World Title runner-up, Ferriera, witnessed the 2019 WSL Champion surge through each match with his signature flair and power. The Brazilian powerhouse started his Finals Day charge against World Title threat, Southern California’s own and Japanese representative, Kanoa Igarashi in men’s Match 1. Ferreira then took a commanding win over one of the CT’s best styles of Ethan Ewing (AUS) before moving into a heavily-anticipate Match 3 with World No. 2 Jack Robinson (AUS).
But, one of 2022’s standout performers, Robinson, couldn’t find the opportunities to fight back against Ferriera and the Brazilian gave everything he had in the Title Match, best two-of-three face-off with Toledo.
“It’s been incredible,” said Ferreira. “I’m just so thankful for the opportunity. I’ve been a regular in the Top 5 for the past few years and I just hope that I continue to be blessed, stay healthy and continue to evolve. I’m stoked for Filipe, he totally deserves this title and I’m glad that I made it to the Finals today.”