Italo Ferreira advances to the quarterfinals in Tahiti and confirms leadership in the world rankings
Surfer from Rio Grande do Norte Italo Ferreira, current leader of the WSL World Tour, secured his place in the quarterfinals of the Teahupoo stage, in Tahiti, reinforcing his prominent position. The Brazilian beat Connor O’Leary in the round of 16 with a score of 11.66 to 10.33, on August 12, 2026. However, other athletes from Brazil, such as João Chianca, Alejo Muniz and Miguel Pupo, were eliminated in their heats.
Renowned surfer Kelly Slater, 11 times world champion, also said goodbye to the Tahitian stage. He was looking for his sixth title in Teahupoo, but was overtaken by Australian Jack Robinson, interrupting his journey in the competition.
The final phase of the Teahupoo event is scheduled for August 13, 2026, with the call for athletes scheduled for 2pm. Live broadcasts of the heats will be carried out by various sports channels and platforms.
Consistent victory for Italo Ferreira in the round of 16
The heat started with moments of balance and few opportunities for waves in the initial 15 minutes. Italo Ferreira managed to stand out by recording a score of 6.33, taking the provisional lead with 10.16 against 4.83 points. Then, the Brazilian surfer achieved a new wave of 5.33 points.
However, Connor O’Leary showed his strength with a long-range left wave maneuver, receiving a score of 7.50 from the judges. He needed 4.16 points to reverse the score, but he no longer found the necessary wave, confirming Italo Ferreira’s victory.
João Chianca is disqualified from the event
Athlete João Chianca, known as Chumbinho, failed to advance in heat 5 of the round of 16, being eliminated by Ramzi Boukhiam, from Morocco. Boukhiam obtained a total of 14.00 points, with grades of 8.00 and 6.00. Chianca recorded 5.17 and 3.93, adding 9.10 points, which resulted in his elimination.
Alejo Muniz fails to advance in Teahupoo
Alejo Muniz also did not advance to the next phase, being defeated by George Pittar in heat 6. The Australian surfer achieved a total of 13.66 points, with scores of 7.33 and 6.33. Alejo was unable to surpass his performance, recording just 2.10 points in total, with waves of 1.60 and 0.50.
Elimination of Kelly Slater by Jack Robinson
The experienced Kelly Slater, one of the highlights of the Teahupoo stage, ended his participation in the search for his sixth title in the event. After eliminating Gabriel Medina, he was stopped by Australian Jack Robinson in the round of 16. Robinson secured the victory with 15.00 points (9.17 + 5.83) against Slater’s 8.46 (7.83 + 0.63), advancing in the dispute.
Miguel Pupo is also eliminated in the round of 16
Ending Brazil’s participation in the round of 16, Miguel Pupo faced Griffin Colapinto in the last heat and failed to advance. The American surfer obtained 16.67 points with waves of 8.50 and 8.17, surpassing the Brazilian. Miguel recorded a total of 15.17 points, with grades of 8.50 and 6.67, resulting in his elimination from the competition.
All results from the round of 16
- Kauli Vaast (France) 12.00 x Alan Cleland (Mexico) 12.34
- Seth Moniz (Hawaii) 12.10 x Barron Mamiya (Hawaii) 9.04
- Connor O’Leary (Japan) 10.33 x Italo Ferreira (Brazil) 11.66
- Liam O’Brien (Australia) 6.66 x Ethan Ewing (Australia) 7.67
- Ramzi Boukhiam (Morocco) 14.00 x João Chianca (Brazil) 9.10
- Alejo Muniz (Brazil) 2.10 x George Pittar (Australia) 13.66
- Kelly Slater (United States) 8.46 x Jack Robinson (Australia) 15.00
- Griffin Colapinto (United States) 16.67 x Miguel Pupo (Brazil) 15.17
Clashes defined for the quarterfinals
- Alan Cleland (Mexico) x Seth Moniz (Hawaii)
- Italo Ferreira (Brazil) x Ethan Ewing (Australia)
- Ramzi Boukhiam (Morocco) x George Pittar (Australia)
- Jack Robinson (Australia) x Griffin Colapinto (United States)
