WSL: Filipe Toledo surprises and wins title by defeating ranking leader in El Salvador
The Brazilian put Griffin Colapinto, the current number 1 in the surfing world ranking, in a difficult situation in the final of Punta Roca and won the 14th title of the World Tour stage.
With the conquest filipino becomes second in the world ranking of surfing - Photo Reproduction/Aaron Hughes / WSL
Filipe Toledo had a taste of revenge when he won the WSL title (World Surfing League ou world surfing league). After losing the final to Griffin Colapinto last year in Punta Roca, the Brazilian had the opportunity to face the American once again in the decision of the WSL stage in El Salvador. This Friday, however, Filipinho surpassed the current leader of the World Tour in a spectacular way, reaching a combined score of 17.33 against 12.10. The current world champion intensely celebrated his victory in the waves, becoming the champion of Punta Roca.
Title
Filipinho conquered his second title this season, the 14th of his career, when he beat Colapinto at Sunset Beach, Hawaii. That win marked his second win over Colapinto in finals this year, matching the number of wins between the two surfers. Last year, Griffin had won duels in Peniche, Portugal, and Punta Roca. They are now tied for WSL matches with three wins apiece.
Ranking
The victory conquered by Filipinho in Punta Roca, ended up resulting in his ascension to the second position of the WSL ranking, leaving his compatriot João Chianca behind. While it wasn't enough to overcome Griffin Colapinto's lead, the gap between the two narrowed considerably. The current world champion is determined to recover the rank of number 1 in the world in his own land, during the stage of Saquarema, scheduled to take place between the 23rd of June and the 1st of July.
A final
Filipinho decided to abandon Griffin alone outside at the start of the competition. The American surfer caught the first wave but failed to complete it and received a score of 4.00. Meanwhile, the Brazilian performed more maneuvers in his first attempt and, even with a wave of reduced size, he managed to reach a score of 5.17. The lead briefly shifted to Griffin with a total of 4.47 points. However, Filipinho responded with an incredible aerial, accumulating 5.67 points.
With 15 minutes remaining, Griffin executed deft maneuvers and finished the wave with an aerial, reaching a score of 7.17 and retaking the lead. It was then that Filipinho's show began. First, the Brazilian surfer performed four powerful maneuvers, obtaining a score of 9.00. Resuming the lead in the heat, he took advantage of another excellent wave, performing eight maneuvers and receiving 8.33 points. The American, finding himself in a combination situation, tried to invest in air, but to no avail. The Brazilian's
