Gabriel Medina beats Italo Ferreira in aerials and advances to the quarterfinals in Bells Beach
Gabriel Medina and Italo Ferreira starred in a historic duel in the round of 16 of the Bells Beach stage, at Austrália, officially opening the 2026 season for the world surfing elite. In a heat marked by progressive maneuvers and a high technical level, the three-time world champion guaranteed his stay in the competition by overcoming the Olympic champion in a dispute decided in detail. The confrontation attracted the attention of fans around the globe, consolidating the favoritism of Brazilian athletes on the Australian waves right at the beginning of the World Surf League (WSL) circuit.
The Brazilians’ performance was marked by aggressiveness in their aerial maneuvers, which became the big difference in the scores awarded by the judges during the early hours of this Thursday local time. Gabriel Medina scored 15.60 points in total from his two best waves, while Italo Ferreira ended his participation with 14.66 points, demonstrating the balance between the competitors. The victory of Medina marks a triumphant return for the athlete, who was coming from a period of physical recovery following surgical interventions the previous year.
The dispute was decided in challenging sea conditions, where choosing the right waves was essential for executing the full rotation movements that enchanted the public on the beach. Medina demonstrated that he was in full physical shape, connecting edge maneuvers with precise technical submissions in critical right hand sessions. With this result, Brazilian surfing maintains a strong presence in the final phase of the event, reinforcing the country’s hegemony in the sport.
- Gabriel Medina: 15.60 total points.
- Italo Ferreira: 14.66 total points.
- Best battery rating: 8.33 (Gabriel Medina).
- Other Brazilians classified: Miguel Pupo, Yago Dora, Samuel Pupo and Luana Silva.
Technical balance defines the clash between world champions
The drums started with Italo Ferreira, demonstrating great harmony with the sea, opening the score with a sequence of four vertical hits in a consistent right. The surfer from Rio Grande do Norte used his characteristic speed to project the board above the crest of the wave, guaranteeing an initial score of 6.83 and putting immediate pressure on his opponent. Medina’s response didn’t take long, coming through a very fluid and fast surf line, which culminated in a safely executed full rotation aerial.
The judges valued the combination of traditional maneuvers with progressive elements presented by Medina, awarding him a score of 7.27 on his first relevant attempt. Italo Ferreira, aware that he would need to risk more to regain the lead, he sought a launch pad in his next wave, taking off in a high flight with a complex landing. Esse movement earned the Olympic champion a score of 7.83, reaffirming the electrifying nature of one of the most anticipated heats of the entire competition at Austrália.
Medina guarantees the turnaround with the highest score of the event
At the decisive moment of the heat, Gabriel Medina took advantage of a series that entered the outside to draw an impeccable line, performing six movements of extreme strength that raised large columns of water. The São Paulo surfer’s polished style, combined with his aggressive edge maneuvers, was rewarded by the referees with a score of 8.33, the highest score recorded in the entire Brazilian duel. Esta wave was the turning point necessary for the three-time champion to take the definitive lead in the heat in the final minutes.
Medina’s strategy consisted of maintaining the priority of choosing waves after achieving his excellent score, hindering Italo Ferreira’s chances of reacting in the final moments. Ferreira tried to find one last opportunity to reverse the score, but the sea conditions did not provide the necessary wall for a new high-scoring maneuver before the end of regulation time. Após When the horn sounded, the two athletes greeted each other in the water, demonstrating the mutual respect between two of the biggest names in the history of the sport.
Next challenges for the Brazilians in the quarterfinals
The quarter-finals in Bells Beach promise new electrifying confrontations, with Brasil being represented by a large and competitive delegation in both men’s and women’s categories. Gabriel Medina will now face compatriot Samuel Pupo, ensuring that the country will have at least one representative in the semifinals of the men’s category. The official schedule foresees the resumption of disputes this Friday, with the first call taking place at 6:45 pm Australian local time, depending on swell conditions.
In the women’s category, Luana Silva emerges as one of the great promises of the season after eliminating big names from the world elite, such as the multi-champion Stephanie Gilmore and the Australian Tyler Wright. Luana will face the Hawaiian Gabriela Bryan in a heat that arouses great interest, especially due to the excellent technical moment that the Brazilian surfer is going through. The advancement of multiple athletes from the country reinforces the effectiveness of the training and technical preparation carried out during the 2026 pre-season.
- Miguel Pupo faces Barron Mamiya (HAV).
- Yago Dora faces Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA).
- Gabriel Medina competes for a place with Samuel Pupo (BRA).
- Griffin Colapinto (USA) measures strengths with Kanoa Igarashi (JPN).
Return of Medina after shoulder surgery in 2025
Gabriel Medina’s performance in Bells Beach is especially significant given his absence from competition for part of 2025 to treat a chronic shoulder injury. The rehabilitation process was rigorous, involving intensive physiotherapy and a gradual return to training in Brazilian and international waters. Victory over a competitor at the level of Italo Ferreira serves as an important validation that the surfer has regained his mobility and full confidence for high-impact maneuvers.
During the interviews after the heat, Medina highlighted the importance of maintaining maximum concentration against opponents who have a technical repertoire as vast as Ferreira. The athlete stated that the key to success in Bells Beach is the accurate reading of the wave sections, which change quickly depending on the tide and wind direction. The return of Medina to the top of his physical form is a factor that changes the title projections for the remainder of the season, raising the level of competitiveness of the entire Tour.
Detailed results of the men’s round of 16
The round of 16 was marked by surprising results and eliminations of favorites, showing that the technical level of the world’s elite is increasingly balanced. Miguel Pupo advanced with an impressive total of 16.77 points, surpassing the Australian George Pittar in a very competitive heat. On the other hand, names like Filipe Toledo and Alejo Muniz were unable to overcome their opponents, saying goodbye to the competition early against inspired international opponents.
South African Jordy Smith was surpassed by Barron Mamiya, while Japanese Kanoa Igarashi demonstrated solidity by eliminating Alejo Muniz with a consistent score. Leonardo Fioravanti, from Itália, was responsible for interrupting Filipe Toledo’s trajectory, guaranteeing his place in the quarterfinals in a direct confrontation against one of the favorites for the stage title. Esses results set up a quarter-final scenario with a great diversity of styles, promising a high-performance spectacle for the fans present at Austrália.
Impact of the new WSL rules on the 2026 season
The 2026 season introduced adjustments to the World Surf League judging criteria, prioritizing innovation and risk in aerial maneuvers, in addition to total commitment to the most critical parts of the wave. Atletas and Yago Dora publicly celebrated these changes, stating that the new system benefits surfers who constantly seek to evolve the sport through progressive movements. The heat between Medina and Italo was a clear example of this new guideline, where the aerials were fundamental to the high scores awarded by the judges’ table.
In addition to the scoring criteria, the WSL implemented new guidelines for managing heats and priorities, aiming to make the show more dynamic for live broadcasts. The use of cutting-edge technology for instantaneous analysis of replays and statistical data has helped referees maintain the impartiality and accuracy of scores. Essas innovations seek to elevate surfing to the level of other global sports in terms of infrastructure and organizational professionalism, attracting new sponsors and audiences to the league.
Technical preparation for the waves of Bells Beach
Bells Beach is known for its long, voluminous waves, which require boards with greater flotation and edges prepared to withstand the pressure of long turns. Antes from the beginning of the stage, Italo Ferreira was seen carrying out specific balance training and equipment adjustments, demonstrating his dedication to the technical details necessary to master the Australian peak. Adapting to variations in water temperature and local climate is also part of the elite athletes’ rigorous routine during the weeks leading up to the main event.
Gabriel Medina’s strategy involved using equipment adapted for powerful edge maneuvers, allowing him to maintain speed even on flatter sections of the wave. Choosing the right fins is a determining factor in board control during aerial landings, especially on uneven water surfaces. The success of Medina and other Brazilians reflects not only individual talent, but also the support of technical teams specialized in biomechanics and hydrodynamics applied to competitive surfing.
Expectations for the end of the stage at Austrália
As the finals approach, expectations surrounding the Brazilians increase significantly, given the country’s record of victories in Bells Beach. The support of the local fans, although divided between home athletes and international stars, creates a vibrant atmosphere that drives competitors to push their physical and mental limits. The weather forecast points to the arrival of a new swell, which could provide even better conditions for the decisive day of the competition, favoring the performance surfing that has dominated the heats so far.
The end of the first stage of the year will define the first leaders of the world ranking, establishing who will be the targets to be beaten in the following rounds in places such as Margaret River and Saquarema. Para Gabriel Medina, a victory at Bells Beach would mean the perfect start to the search for his fourth world title, reaffirming his position as one of the greatest icons in the history of surfing Brazilian. The world of sport eagerly awaits the next calls, where technique and courage will be put to the test in the icy waters of the south of Austrália.
