Brazilian Filipe Toledo, a two-time surfing world champion, will give up the fight for his third title in a row to take care of his “mental health,” the athlete said after competing on the first stage of the circuit.
The 28-year-old surfer from Sao Paulo, champion in 2022 and 2023, did not go beyond the consolations in the first stage of the season, in Pipeline, Hawaii, in which he did not even participate, citing health problems, having, on Sunday, declared his desire take a break, confirming a return to the elite in 2025.
The World Surf League (WSL) has already provided a wildcard for 2025: Moroccan Ramzi Boukhiam, the circuit’s alternate, will take Toledo’s place in four five events, including the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, which runs from March 6. and 16th in Praia de Supertubos in Peniche.
“I regret to announce that I am withdrawing from the 2024 Championship Tour (CT) season (…). This decision was very difficult for me and was made after several days of discussions with those closest to me. The WSL have been very supportive and I am very grateful that they have given me a wildcard to start the 2025 season. I intend to come back better than ever,” Toledo wrote on his official Instagram page.
That leaves Toledo already skipping the second leg at Sunset Beach, also in Hawaii, which has a waiting period that runs from this Monday through Feb. 22.
“In the past, I have always been honest about some of my issues, not just injury-related but also mental health. Competing at the highest level over the past decade has taken a toll on me and I need a break to recover.” the next chapter of my career,” he added.
Toledo, who has competed continuously on the circuit since 2013 and has 18 championship wins, is not the first surfer to have to take a sabbatical, as compatriot Gabriel Medina, a three-time world champion, did in 2022 and, more recently, North. American Carissa Moore, a five-time world champion, and Australian Stephanie Gilmore, an eight-time champion, interrupted their careers in 2024.
Despite the pause in the world circuit stages, Toledo vowed to “focus” on his presence in the surfing competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics in French Polynesia.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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