Jacaraípe (ES), September 17, 2025 – The ArcelorMittal Wahine Bodyboarding Pro, presented by Extrabom, has defined its semifinalists in the Professional Division this Wednesday at Solemar Beach, Jacaraípe. Three Brazilians—Neymara Carvalho, Luna Hardman, and Josilani Amorim—advanced through their quarterfinal heats, joining Portuguese rider Filipa Broeiro. With three of the four semifinal spots, Brazil is guaranteed a place in the final of the last women’s stage of the 2025 World Tour. In the semifinals, Josilani will face Neymara, while Luna meets Filipa. Mother and daughter Neymara and Luna could potentially clash in the grand final.
The Professional Division already has its 2025 World Champion: Alexandra Rinder, from the Canary Islands, representing Austria. Rinder secured her third world title during today’s quarterfinals, ten years after her last triumph.
In the first heat of the day, it was an all-Brazilian duel between Josilani Amorim and Maíra Viana, the defending world champion from Espírito Santo. Josilani scored 11.85 points against 10.75 from Maíra, eliminating the champion. Later, Josilani also advanced in the Master Division, booking her place in the quarterfinals. The second heat of the day was decisive for the world title. Japan’s Namika Yamashita, current world number one, needed to advance to keep her title hopes alive against local legend and five-time world champion Neymara Carvalho. Neymara delivered an inspired performance, scoring a near-perfect 9-point ride to total 15.65 against Namika’s 11.75. With that victory, Neymara not only advanced but also confirmed Alexandra Rinder as the new world champion. “It was thrilling, sensational. When that wave came, I knew it would be good. I executed with all my will, love, and strength. My goal was to reach the podium. I’m very happy for Alexandra too. Back in 2009, when I won my last world title in her home in the Canary Islands, she lifted me with pride. Today, I could do the same for her here at my home,” Neymara said.
Rinder still entered the water for her quarterfinal heat against Portugal’s Filipa Broeiro, but was eliminated with a score of 12.00 to Filipa’s 13.75. “I’m very happy to reach the semifinals, to be on the podium. I knew it wouldn’t be easy against Alexandra. I’m grateful to be part of such an excellent event,” Filipa said.
The final quarterfinal saw Luna Hardman, returning to competition after shoulder surgery, advance with a 12.50 to 9.25 win over Japan’s Yuka Nishimura. Luna, last year’s Pro Junior champion and Professional runner-up at the Wahine, expressed her joy: “I’m so happy to reach another semifinal here. I’m surfing with lightness and joy, and I think that’s why things are working. I feel connected. Now it’s on to the next one.”
In the Master Division, three-time champion Mariana Nogueira from Rio de Janeiro saw her dream of a fourth title end, losing her heat to fellow Brazilian Juliana Dourado. Both scored 12.50 points, but Juliana had the highest single wave (8.25), securing her spot in the quarterfinals. “I defeated the champion, it was her first loss ever at the Wahine. I gave my best and I’m so happy. I knew I needed a big wave to make the difference, and it worked,” Juliana celebrated. Advancing alongside Juliana are Brazilians Guta Borges, Nicole Calheiros, Josilani Amorim, Danielle Oliveira, and Maylla Venturin (local from Serra), as well as Portugal’s Catarina Sousa and Marta Leitão. The Master quarterfinals will feature Guta vs. Nicolle, Josilani vs. Juliana, Danielle vs. Catarina, and Maylla vs. Marta. “I was a bit anxious after my loss in the Professional Division, finishing ninth, but now I’m really happy to reach the quarterfinals in the Master, especially with the incredible support of the local crowd,” Maylla said.
The ArcelorMittal Wahine Bodyboarding Pro will observe a lay day on Thursday, September 18, with no competition scheduled. Action resumes Friday, September 19, at Jacaraípe Beach, with check-in at 8:30 AM and the first heat starting at 9:00 AM. The day will feature the Pro Junior and Master quarterfinals, followed by the Pro Junior semifinals, according to the official program attached. The event is expected to conclude on Saturday, September 20, with the finals in all divisions.
The Wahine brings together athletes from 10 countries: Brazil, Austria, Chile, Spain, the United States, France, Japan, Morocco, Peru, and Portugal, with a total prize purse of USD 45,000 (BRL 240,000). The event, created in 2021 by five-time world champion Neymara Carvalho, celebrates women in bodyboarding. “Wahine,” meaning “woman” in Hawaiian, honors indigenous traditions of the Hawaiian Islands, where Neymara won two of her world titles at Pipeline in 2006 and 2011. The Women’s World Tour distributes a total of USD 220,000 across its four stages: Agadir (Morocco), Iquique (Chile), Sintra (Portugal), and Wahine (Brazil).
The ArcelorMittal Wahine Bodyboarding Pro 2025, presented by Extrabom, has ArcelorMittal as its main sponsor, with master sponsorship from the Government of Espírito Santo through LIEC, sponsorship from EDP Brasil, support from Grupo Coroa, Jaklayne Joias, and the Municipality of Serra, and is organized by the Instituto Neymara Carvalho (INC) and the International Bodyboarding Corporation (IBC), sanctioned by the Brazilian Bodyboarding Confederation.
Instagram: @wahinebbpro @neymaracarvalho @institutoneymaracarvalho
🙏 Special thanks to our partners:
Official Sponsor: ArcelorMittal @arcelormittaltubarao
Presented by: Extrabom
Supporters: EDP, Coroa, Jaklayne, Prefeitura Municipal da Serra
Organizer: Instituto Neymara Carvalho & IBC World Tour
Collaboration: CBrasB
➡️ Don’t miss a moment of this celebration of women’s bodyboarding, empowerment, and ocean culture!
#WahineBodyboardingPro #IBCWorldTour2025 #Bodyboarding #Jacaraipe #Brazil