- WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
- WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
Filipe's Injury Update Statement
0:25
After pulling a groin muscle from a botched landing during the Quik Pro, the Brazilian says he's taking time off to recover at home.

Filipe Toledo has officially pulled out of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro after injuring his groin while trying to land an air-reverse during his Semifinal match against Matt Wilkinson on Wednesday. The high-flying Brazilian released a brief video statement (above) after a visit with doctors Wednesday. After falling during the landing attempt, Toledo could be seen wincing in pain as he paddled back out in the Snapper lineup. He rode more waves in extreme pain.

Filipe's Post Heat Interview
3:03
The Brazilian phenom explains what happened when he hurt himself during his Semifinal heat.

When the heat ended and he reached shore, he needed help just to get into the competitor's area. The injury means he'll have to stay put for a while, so he'll be heading home to heal, skipping out on Bells Beach and Margaret River.

Filipe is understandably broken-hearted. While he finished with an equal 3rd place after the loss, he was arguably the biggest show-stopper of the event, eagerly anticipating a world-title run in 2016 after being in the hunt last year.

Filipe Toledo was injured after an awkward landing during the Semis. Filipe Toledo had to be helped back to his locker after failing to land this aerial. - WSL / Kelly Cestari

Groins can be a heavy blow. They're extremely painful, and take time to heal. Coming back too soon is risky as well. So to avoid temptation Toledo is heading home where he can do recover under the supervision of his physical therapist. His goal, as of now, is to be ready for Rio.

His absence means Hawaiian Sebastian Zietz will get another crack at CT competition. He'll be surfing Bells and Margaret River now that Filipe has made it official with the WSL commissioner Kieren Perrow.

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