PRAIA DE ITAÚNA, Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Thursday, June 22, 2023) - The world's best surfers have arrived in Saquarema and are ready for Stop No. 8 on the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona. Competition could commence as soon as tomorrow morning, the first call will be made at 7:15 a.m. GMT-3 for a possible 7:30 a.m. GMT-3 start to competition. Fueled by the support of their home country, the Brazilian competitors are eager to put on a show. The VIVO Rio Pro holds an event window through Saturday, July 1, 2023.
Filipe Toledo Looks for Fourth Consecutive Rio Pro Win
Current World Champion Filipe Toledo (BRA) comes to Brazil fresh off his second event win of the season in El Salvador. The VIVO Rio Pro is his specialty, as he has won the past three events here and is now looking for his fourth. Toledo currently sits at No. 2 on the rankings, closely following California's No.1 ranked Griffin Colapinto (USA).
"It's always amazing to be back in Brazil," said Toledo. It's a place we love and feel super comfortable. I grew up going to Saquarema and watched my dad and a lot of my idols compete here, so I've had a close relationship with the place. It brings me excitement to be here, and I feel super comfortable. I guess that's where the magic is."
Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) will surf in Heat 4 of the women's Opening Round at the VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona. - WSL / Smorigo
Strong Showing From Brazilian Athletes Expected
Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) recently climbed her way into the Top 5. The Tour veteran has performed consistently throughout the year despite an injury and illness that have stopped her from competing on different occasions. She is still looking for her first event win of the season and hopes it will be here in Brazil. She will have a tough Opening Round heat as she will face season standout Caroline Marks (USA) and rising star Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW).
"Competing in Brazil is like competing at home; it feels so nice," said Weston-Webb. "I don't have an event where I can sleep in my own bed, but this is similar to that. Having the Brazilian fans behind us is one of the best feelings in the world. This year we also have Silvana (Lima) as an event wildcard. I'm sure she's going to put on a show. Being the only woman repping Brazil on the Championship Tour, I feel immense pressure being here in Brazil. It's not necessarily a weight on my shoulders, but I want to do super well and perform at my best level."
World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA) is currently sitting at No. 8 on the rankings and needs a big result here to get back in World Title contention. He placed third here last year, falling to Samuel Pupo (BRA) in the Semifinals. Ferreira is known as one of the most exciting surfers to watch, always throwing big airs and staying active in the water.
"Now I have a chance to enter into the Top 5 and I feel like winning in Rio would be something remarkable to add to my career," said Ferreira. "It would be something very positive and I've been working hard to achieve my goals. Everything happens at the right time, so it's important to remain patient but know when to take advantage of the right moments. Nothing ever comes easy. It was like that when I won the World Title in 2019 and the same again when I won the first Olympic Gold medal in surfing, so I feel like I'm in the same position again. So I'm always looking to use my inner strength to try to reach my dreams and am always motivated to keep doing better."
VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Women's Opening Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Silvana Lima (BRA)
HEAT 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)
HEAT 4: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)
VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Men's Opening Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Rio Waida (INA)
HEAT 2: Joao Chianca (BRA) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
HEAT 3: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Callum Robson (AUS) vs .Kelly Slater (USA)
HEAT 4: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Liam O'Brien (AUS) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)
HEAT 5: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW)
HEAT 6: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW)
HEAT 7: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Connor O'Leary (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (RSA)
HEAT 8: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Watch LIVE: VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona
The VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona holds a competition window from June 23 through July 1, 2023. Once called on, the competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL's YouTube channel, and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL's broadcast partners. For fans watching in Brazil, coverage of the competition's Quarterfinals and beyond will continue exclusively on WorldSurfLeague.com and SporTV.
The VIVO Rio Pro presented by Corona is supported by VIVO, Corona, Secretaria de Esporte e Lazer do Governo do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Prefeitura Municipal de Saquarema, Banco do Brasil, Red Bull, TikTok, Australian Gold, Oakberry, Kaiak, EY, YETI, and True Surf.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.