Qualification Scenarios Begin to Take Form at the Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco do Brasil

PRAIA DE ITAÚNA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Monday, October 14, 2024) - The World Surf League (WSL) Corona Saquarema Pro presented by Banco do Brasil Stop No. 6 of 6 on the 2024 Challenger Series saw a full day of competition with twenty heats. Peaky conditions with moderate winds and waves in the four-to-five foot range at Praia de Itaúna allowed for the completion of the men’s Round of 64 and Heats 1-4 of the men's Round of 32. Today, Miguel Pupo (BRA) qualified for the 2025 Championship Tour, leaving six qualification spots open for the men.

“I’m super happy that I qualified here, but I feel like the brunt of the work was done throughout the year and this is just the endgame,” said Pupo. “I had good results at the majority of the events and that gives you a boost to keep pushing to achieve your goals. It’s tough not making the cut on the CT, but to see my peers like Ian and Alejo, plus my brother qualifying is so inspirational and to make it back on Tour with them is going to be amazing, not just for me, but for Brazil as well.”

Mateus Herdy Earns Perfect 10-Point Ride

During Heat 3 of the Round of 32, Mateus Herdy (BRA) was on fire. Herdy began with two keeper scores of a 7.43 and a 7.23 on tweaked out airs for a comfortable lead over Keijiro Nishi (JAP), Rafael Teixeira (BRA), and Carlos Munoz (CRI). However, Herdy took it to the next level by pumping down the line and perfectly executing a corkscrew backflip which brought a roar from the crowd on the beach. After quick deliberation for the judging panel, Herdy earned a perfect 10-point ride, the only 10 of the 2024 Challenger Series season.

“It felt incredible. I got those two sevens right at the start and had priority, but I ended up paddling on a wave and lost priority. That got me angry, so when that next wave came in, I saw the section and just went for it. It’s been a while since I made one of those, especially in a heat, so it meant a lot,” said Herdy.

“Medina, Filipe, Italo and Yago have already made such a mark on Saquarema, so I feel like I need to do a lot more to be on that list. What they’ve done on the CT is on another level, but I feel happy for what I did today and will try to keep the momentum going in the next round.”

Competition Runs Through 20 Heats at Praia de Itaúna

The day began with a strong performance from Alejo Muniz (BRA), who was matched up against Justin Becret (FRA), Maxime Huscenot (FRA), and Jackson Baker (AUS). Despite already qualifying for the upcoming 2025 CT season, Muniz was able to score a 7.50 and a 6.50 on his two best waves for a 14.00 total (out of a possible 20 points). Later in the day, during the Round of 32, Muniz surpassed his own performance, besting it with a 14.14 heat total.

“It feels amazing to be here and already qualified, it’s been a dream of mine for many years and I worked really hard to achieve that, but there’s always pressure to do well, especially when you’re at home,” said Muniz. “I’ve never had a really good result here in Saquarema, so I’m going to do my best and finish off the season strong.”

Later on, as the cross-shore wind increased, so did the aerial opportunities. In Heat 14 of the Round of 64, Shion Crawford (HAW) took full advantage of the conditions to win his heat with a heat total of 15.17 against Alan Cleland (MEX), Jarvis Earle (AUS), Ryan Huckabee (USA). Cleland was also able to advance to the Round of 32 to keep his dreams of CT qualification alive.

“I’m in a similar position to last year where I’m coming into this event without any pressure, the rights are really similar to a break I surf at home every day, so I feel comfortable,” said Crawford, who earned an 8.50 on his best ride, the highest single wave score of the day on a lofty frontside full-rotation.

Emotions Run High as Qualification Opportunities Dwindle

The spectrum of emotions ran the gamut today with celebratory highs coming from advancing surfers, and crushing lows as the qualification scenarios become more evident with each passing heat. With today’s elimination of George Pittar (AUS), Jackson Bunch (HAW) and Michael Rodrigues (BRA), their permanence within the Top 10 becomes questionable as surfers still in contention can potentially overtake them.

On the flip side, surfers such as Marco Mignot (FRA), Joel Vaughan (AUS), Jordan Lawler (AUS), and Mateus Herdy (BRA) all improved their chances of qualification by advancing in their respective heats throughout the day.

Only one spot remains available for the women's CT qualification. Rankings leaders Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Bella Kenworthy (USA), Isabella Nichols (AUS), and Erin Brooks (CAN) have all qualified. The final position will be decided at the Corona Saquarema Pro in Brazil in the upcoming days.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com

Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco Do Brasil Men’s Round of 64 Results:

HEAT 1: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.00 DEF. Jackson Baker (AUS) 11.77, Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 8.67, Justin Becret (FRA) 8.27

HEAT 2: Jacob Willcox (AUS) 12.40 DEF. Kade Matson (USA) 9.00, Owen Moss (USA) 8.90, Mikey McDonagh (AUS) 8.60

HEAT 3: Charly Quivront (FRA) 11.27 DEF. Dakoda Walters (AUS) 9.20, Callum Robson (AUS) 9.00, Cody Young (HAW) 7.74

HEAT 4: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.67 DEF. Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 10.43, Lucas Silveira (BRA) 8.20, Dimitri Poulos (USA) 7.53

HEAT 5: Keijiro Nishi (JPN) 12.66 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 10.23, Rinta Oooto (JPN) 10.06, Jackson Bunch (HAW) 10.00

HEAT 6: Mateus Herdy (BRA) 11.97 DEF. Lucca Mesinas (PER) 11.23, Lucas Vicente (BRA) 8.96, Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 8.77

HEAT 7: Deivid Silva (BRA) 11.73 DEF. Carlos Munoz (CRC) 11.23, Guilherme Ribeiro (POR) 10.00, Nolan Rapoza (USA) 9.53

HEAT 8: Gabriel Andre (BRA) 13.00 DEF. Rafael Teixeira (BRA) 11.33, Ian Gentil (HAW) 9.00, Joao Chianca (BRA) 7.70

HEAT 9: Nacho Gundesen (ARG) 13.67 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 10.26, Josh Burke (BRB) 9.40, Taro Watanabe (USA) 8.97

HEAT 10: Jordan Lawler (AUS) 11.27 DEF. Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) 10.20, Leo Casal (BRA) 9.97, Luke Slijpen (RSA) 8.80

HEAT 11: Edgard Groggia (BRA) 13.37 DEF. Cauã Costa (BRA) 13.13, Riaru Ito (JPN) 9.04, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 9.00

HEAT 12: Winter Vincent (AUS) 10.93 DEF. Joel Vaughan (AUS) 10.43, Oscar Berry (AUS) 9.54, Mihimana Braye (FRA) 8.37

HEAT 13: Dylan Moffat (AUS) 11.66 DEF. Daniel Templar (BRA) 11.50, George Pittar (AUS) 8.40, Jett Schilling (USA) 8.04

HEAT 14: Shion Crawford (HAW) 15.17 DEF. Alan Cleland (MEX) 13.04, Jarvis Earle (AUS) 11.70, Ryan Huckabee (USA) 10.00

HEAT 15: Marco Mignot (FRA) 13.57 DEF. Rickson Falcao (BRA) 11.56, Gatien Delahaye (FRA) 11.10, Reef Heazlewood (AUS) 11.06

HEAT 16: Levi Slawson (USA) 11.80 DEF. Kauli Vaast (FRA) 11.30, Kai Odriozola (ESP) 10.00, Alister Reginato (AUS) 8.14

Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco Do Brasil Men’s Round of 32 Results and Upcoming Matchups:

HEAT 1: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.14 DEF. Jacob Willcox (AUS) 13.37, Dakoda Walters (AUS) 12.33, Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 6.93

HEAT 2: Kade Matson (USA) 13.67 DEF. Jackson Baker (AUS) 13.64, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.70, Charly Quivront (FRA) 1.90

HEAT 3: Mateus Herdy (BRA) 17.43 DEF. Keijiro Nishi (JPN) 13.23, Rafael Teixeira (BRA) 12.13, Carlos Munoz (CRC) 8.06

HEAT 4: Deivid Silva (BRA) 13.17 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 11.16, Gabriel Andre (BRA) 9.56, Lucca Mesinas (PER) 8.96

HEAT 5: Nacho Gundesen (ARG) vs. Jordan Lawler (AUS) vs. Cauã Costa (BRA) vs. Joel Vaughan (AUS)

HEAT 6: Samuel Pupo (BRA) vs. Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) vs. Edgard Groggia (BRA) vs. Winter Vincent (AUS)

HEAT 7: Dylan Moffat (AUS) vs. Shion Crawford (HAW) vs. Rickson Falcao (BRA) vs. Kauli Vaast (FRA)

HEAT 8: Daniel Templar (BRA) vs. Alan Cleland (MEX) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA) vs. Levi Slawson (USA)

Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco Do Brasil Women’s Round of 16 Matchups:

HEAT 1: Teresa Bonvalot (POR) vs. Nora Liotta (HAW)

HEAT 2: Yolanda Hopkins (POR) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)

HEAT 3: Vahine Fierro (FRA) vs. Francisca Veselko (POR)

HEAT 4: Ellie Harrison (AUS) vs. Sophia Medina (BRA)

HEAT 5: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK)

HEAT 6: Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) vs. Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK)

HEAT 7: Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) vs. Macy Callaghan (AUS)

HEAT 8: Erin Brooks (CAN) vs. Luana Silva (BRA)