In the Pacific island nation of Fiji, Brazil's skater Dora clinched her inaugural world championship title.
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Yago Dora, a 29-year-old surfer from Florianopolis, Brazil, claimed his first world title on Tuesday at the WSL finals held at Fiji's renowned Cloudbreak reef.
Dora triumphed over California's Griffin Colapinto in the finals, securing his place in the annals of Brazilian surfing history. The hooter sounded, ending the heat with Dora's total at 12.33.
The title match was a one-day, winner-takes-all event for the top five surfers. The size of the waves may have favoured Dora, who is a goofy-footer, meaning he rides facing the fast-running waves.
Dora had his best year on surfing's world tour, winning two events and qualifying as the top seed for the finals. He started strong, racking up a 7.33 out of 10 for two surgically sharp turns on his first wave.
Colapinto put up a valiant fight, scoring a 5.17 and later a 6.33 during the finals, but it was not enough to dethrone the Brazilian surfer. Dora answered with an 8.33, giving him a total of 15.66.
Apart from Hawaiian John John Florence's three titles in 2016, 2017, and 2024, Brazilian surfers have won the men's world championship every year since 2014. Since 2014, Brazilian surfers who have won the men's world surfing championship include Yago Dora, who was crowned WSL World Champion in 2025.
In the women's title match, Florida's Caroline Marks won against Australia's Molly Picklum. The finals were held in conditions that were not as challenging as what the remote reef of Cloudbreak can produce on its day. The waves at Cloudbreak during the finals were overhead, clean, and powerful, but perhaps not as big or challenging as hoped.
After his victory, Dora expressed his joy, saying, "I'm so happy, I have no words." He also made a statement, "It's unbelievable. The signs were all there for me. I felt something special this week, since I got here in Fiji, I knew something going my way."
The women's and men's finals marked the end of an exciting world tour season, with surfers from around the globe showcasing their talents at one of the most challenging and iconic surfing locations in the world.
