Two Brazilians are in the fight for the world surfing title, to be decided in the coming days in Fiji. In their attempt to seek the trophy, they start from very different places, both in the championship table and in the mental state.
Yago Dora, 29, is the leader of the ranking and awaits his opponent in the decision. Italo Ferreira, 31, is the fifth and needs to hit the room (Australian Jack Robinson), the third (American Griffin Colapinto) and the second (South African Jordy Smith) for the right to face Yago.
The behavior of each on the eve of the decisive stage seems to reflect this scenario. The calm Paraná, first placed, meditates. The Potiguar electric, which has a slope to climb, feeds its notorious energy reviving old battles.
His communication team published last week a video with previous disputes against Jack Robinson, his first rival in Fiji. The images supported the perception that the Australian could be unfair in the sea – in 2024, in the decisive stage of the championship, a row of Robinson hit Ferreira’s shoulder.
“It’s not a game that I would supposedly make to win a battery, but actually surf,” said Italo, who, asked about the publication on social networks, also mentioned the judges, with whom he has a war history.
“Quiet… It’s good, because it gives you a little more hatred to achieve what you want. The guys forget that the more they try to do something with me, worse,” added Potiguar, with a resume that includes a world title (2019), an Olympic gold medal (2021) and, with the result this year, six worlds in the top 5.
Yago Dora had never been among the top five. And the path that built to evolve in surfing, a gradual growth without the glory of various compatriots, seems to have given him patience. Meditation also helped.
“I’ve been doing yoga for some time. I have been breathing a lot, visualization. This helps me to have my head in place, be calm,” said the athlete, who separates 20 minutes to this ritual “before the day begins.” “Surfing is already a place that brings this focus, right, this peace, a moment when the mind focuses only that. We are there, surfing, just thinking about the present moment.”
Containing anxiety is important waiting for the final journey, called WSL Finals –Wsl is the English acronym for the world surfing league. The window for the dispute has been open since Tuesday morning (27) in Fiji – Monday (26) in Brazil – but the organization awaits the day of best waves to hold the championship.
The window extends until Thursday next week, the 4th. The forecast points a good “Swell” from the 2nd, when the most powerful waves-and tubular-in that region of the Pacific Ocean will appear.
While not the call, Yago meditates. And Italo feeds hatred.
