Massive WSL Title Shakeup at Oi Rio Pro as Quarterfinalists Determined

Big Airs and Bigger Upsets for WSL Title Contenders at Barra da Tijuca – WorldSurfLeague.com

BARRA DA TIJUCA, Rio de Janeiro/Brazil (Friday, May 15, 2015) – A thrilling day at the Oi Rio Pro saw competition run through Men’s Rounds 3, 4 and 5. The Quarterfinalists are set following a day of huge upsets and big performances from the world’s best surfers. With eight of the top ten ranked surfers on the Jeep Leaderboard now out of the contest the results in Rio will be sure to shake up this year’s title race.

Early eliminations for reigning World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA), 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) and Jeep rankings leader Adriano de Souza (BRA) were followed by outstanding performances from Filipe Toledo (BRA), Italo Ferreria (BRA), Ricardo Christie (NZL) and Josh Kerr (AUS) who all move through to the Quarterfinals.

The fleet-footed young Brazilian, Toledo, was first to secure a Quarterfinal berth today after posting the only Perfect 10 of the competition so far in his heat against Matt Banting (AUS) and John John Florence (HAW). Toledo will face Ricardo Christie (NZL) when competition resumes.

Keanu Asing (HAW) dealt the upset of day by eliminating Medina in Round 3. A thrilling heat unfolded between the pair as they went wave for wave in front of a cheering crowd of thousands. A huge aerial maneuver from Asing earned him an 8.60 to steal the lead from the World Champion and hold him off until the final buzzer. Asing was defeated by Bede Durbidge (AUS) in Round 5, taking home a 9th-place finish, while Medina will refocus on Fiji.

Continuing his sensational run of form in Brazil, rookie Christie took down Jeep rankings leader and local favorite De Souza (BRA) in Round 3 Heat 6 thanks to a 16.57 heat total. Christie went on to edge a narrow win over Matt Banting (AUS) in Round 5 to earn himself a place in the Quarterfinals, the best result of his CT career, where he will face Toledo.

Matt Banting (AUS) also caused an upset today when he defeated Slater, sending him home in Round 3, before losing out to Christie in Round 5.

Another rookie delivering an outstanding performance today was Italo Ferreira (BRA) who stormed to victory against Hawaiian phenom John John Florence (HAW) in Round 5. The Brazilian had Florence in a combination situation with ten minutes remaining and held his lead to earn a Quarterfinal berth where he will match-up against compatriot Jadson Andre (BRA). Ferreira previously dispatched Nat Young (USA) in the third round while Florence posted the highest two-wave heat total of the day, 18.77, in his Round 3 heat against Adam Melling (AUS).

The final heat of the day saw Owen Wright (AUS) upset Mick Fanning (AUS) to advance to the Quarterfinals where he will face Matt Wilkinson.

Oi Rio Men’s Pro Round 3 Results:

Heat 1: John John Florence (HAW) 18.77 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 12.67

Heat 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.60 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 11.34

Heat 3: Matt Banting (AUS) 10.80 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 6.70

Heat 4: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.50 def. Nat Young (USA) 11.00

Heat 5: Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.50 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 9.90

Heat 6: Ricardo Christie (NZL) 16.57 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.90

Heat 7: Mick Fanning (AUS) 11.46 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 10.80

Heat 8: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.73 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 10.77

Heat 9: Josh Kerr (AUS) 12.34 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 7.86

Heat 10: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 15.60 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 11.94