Olympics: Brazil participates with maximum number of six surfers
Three years after winning gold in surfing's debut at the Tokyo Olympics, Brazil heads to Paris 2024 as the only one among the 11 participating countries with the maximum contingent of six athletes.
The team has been complete in Tahiti, French Polynesia, since last Saturday (Jul. 20), when Tatiana (Tati) Weston-Webb arrived in the Pacific archipelago. Tati joined Filipe Toledo (Filipinho), the current two-time world champion; Gabriel Medina, a three-time world champion; João Chianca (Chumbinho); Luana Silva; and Tainá Hinckel at Brazil's team base, situated just a few meters from the beach.
The sextet completed their first official training session on the tubular waves of Teahupo'o on Sunday (21). The surfing competition window opens next Saturday (27), the day after the Paris 2024 opening ceremony.
“I hope there will be some great waves during the competition, but in the meantime, we'll be preparing to peak at the right moment,” said Tati, who achieved the unprecedented female score of 10 on the waves of Teahupo'o in the current World Surf League (WSL) season.
Chumbinho, 23, is also eagerly anticipating his debut. He experienced a serious accident at Pipeline, Hawaii, in December, when he struck his head after falling off a wave. Following the accident, he spent four months recovering from injuries, including paralysis on the left side of his body. Determined and resilient, Chumbinho returned to competition at the end of April, just in time to prepare for his Olympic dream.
“We're already here in Tahiti, getting ready for these great Olympic Games. The vibe is intense at the Brazil’s team base. I'm so happy to be here. The structure is amazing,” said Chumbinho, who secured his Olympic berth last August when he was ranked number 4 in the world.
The Teahupo'o event will also mark the return of two-time world champion Filipe Toledo to competition. He opted out of this year's World League to prioritize his mental health and focus on preparing for the Paris Games.
“I came very close to qualifying for Tokyo 2020, missing it by just around 150 points. But this year, I have the chance to represent my country, my family, and my friends—everyone who supports me. I’m really excited. It’s a dream come true,” said Filipe.
Brazil has the maximum number of representatives at the Paris Games, thanks to securing two extra spots (one for men and one for women) by qualifying at the ISA World Surfing Games 2024 in Puerto Rico in March. Gabriel Medina clinched his Olympic spot by winning the ISA Games title. In the women's competition, Tati Weston-Webb, who competed in the ISA Games having already qualified for Paris, earned the third women's spot. This place was filled by Luana Silva, a Hawaiian-born surfer with Brazilian parents.
