ITACOATIARA PRO IBC 2023 HIGHLIGHTS/Press Release and Photos FINAL DAY

CHILEAN WINS STAGE OF THE IBC ITACOATIARA PRO BODYBOARD WORLD CONTEST 2023 IN NITERÓI, RIO DE JANEIRO ON FRIDAY, JUNE 16th

The sports festival—now in its 11th edition in the city of Niterói, will continue next week with additional competitions in Bodyboard, Surf, Bodysurf, Downhill, and Sailing.

In a remarkable victory—Chilean Moises Silva claimed the title in the Bodyboard World Championship stage, held at Itacoatiara Beach in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region. The competition reached its pinnacle on Friday, as Silva overcame Hawaiian Tanner McDaniel, the current ranking leader. With moments remaining in the heat, Silva seized an opportunity and caught a wave that earned him an impressive score of 8.5. The 3rd place position was shared by French athlete Ethan Capdeville and Rodrigo Silva, also from Chile and the twin brother of the champion of the IBC Itacoatiara Pro World Contest 2023.

“Tanner is an exceptional bodyboarder—radical and highly skilled. I was aware that defeating him would require making wise decisions. I patiently awaited the opportune moment, placing my trust in God, and thanks to his grace, everything worked out. I will commemorate this victory in the comfort of my home, surrounded by my loved ones, as well as alongside the passionate fans here in Brazil, who make me feel embraced. I am filled with immense joy and gratitude for everyone who contributed to the success of this event, including my sponsors, my family, my brother, and all those who consistently stand by my side,” expressed the athlete—still overwhelmed with emotion—immediately after the conclusion of the final heat.

The stage of the Bodyboard World Championship constitutes an integral part of the Itacoatiara Pro festival—now entering its 11th edition, which will carry on into the following week featuring a series of exhilarating events, including Surfing, Bodysurfing, Downhill, and Sailing competitions. Moreover, the festival will host the commencement of the Brazilian Bodyboard Championship on the 23rd. These festivities receive the invaluable support and endorsement of the esteemed Niterói City Hall.

“Bodyboarding is closely linked to Itacoatiara, which traditionally hosts this stage of the IBC world tour. It is a pleasure to be here representing the city hall and being able to hold another edition of this event in partnership with the IBC” emphasized Rubens Goulart—the municipal secretary of Sports and Recreation—who graced the finals of the Itacoatiara Pro World Contest 2023 with his presence.

The competition showcased a remarkable gathering of professional athletes from over 20 nations, passionately vying for crucial ranking points and a substantial prize purse amounting to R$150,000. Notably, Brazilian sensations Uri Valadão, the esteemed World Champion of 2008, and Socrates Santana, a formidable two-time World Champion in the JUNIOR MEN division, demonstrated exceptional skill—advancing to the 16th round and quarterfinals. Their outstanding performances left a lasting imprint on the competition, entrancing audiences and asserting their prominence within the sport.

“For the second consecutive year, the title goes to Chile. In 2022, Chilean athlete Alan Munoz was the champion, and this year Moises reached the final after defeating his twin brother in another fiercely contested semifinal,” said Giuliano Lara—director of the competition and creator of the Itacoatiara Pro.

After Brazil, the IBC world tour will continue to the Maldives, then Morocco, France, South Africa, and the Canary Islands.

The stage of the Bodyboard World Championship in Niterói captivated audiences worldwide as it graced the screens of the esteemed International Bodyboarding Corporation (IBC) channel—accumulating an impressive viewership of over 50,000 during its pinnacle moments.

Check out the upcoming attractions of Itacoatiara Pro 2023.

Brazilian Bodyboard Championship (Itacoatiara Pro Bodyboard Brazil Series)

Right after the world circuit contests at Itacoatiara Beach, the highly anticipated Brazilian Bodyboard Championship will commence—showcasing exclusively the skill and talent of the Professional Men’s and Women’s divisions this year. In a productive collaboration with the esteemed Brazilian Bodyboard Confederation, innovative competition formats have been devised for the primary divisions of the sport, ensuring ample time and optimal conditions to deliver an unparalleled experience for the athletes.

Itacoatiara Pro Surf

The highly anticipated Itacoatiara Pro Surf unfolds on a day of big and iconic waves, showcasing the mastery of 32 specially invited surfers carefully selected by the Niterói Surf Association. The event will welcome the crème de la crème of Brazilian surfing, including renowned figures such as Raoni Monteiro and Marcelo Trekinho—who respectively claimed the champion and runner-up titles at the previous edition of Itacoatiara Pro Surf. Joining them will be esteemed athletes Lucas Chumbo and Pedro Calado, alongside a contingent of local wave-riding specialists like Kalani Latanzi, Gabriel Sampaio, Guilherme Herdy, and a remarkable array of emerging talents.

Itacoatiara Pro Bodysurf

Introducing a new addition to the Itacoatiara Pro sports agenda is the exhilarating sport of bodysurfing—rapidly growing and boasting a dedicated community of local enthusiasts overseen by the respected Itacoatiara Bodysurfing Association. Following a format reminiscent of its surfing counterpart, the event offers a full day of competition as top bodysurfers compete for a prize pool of R$10,000.

Itacoatiara Pro Downhill

The 2023 Downhill competition—an integral part of the Brazilian Downhill Circuit, will be showcasing the nation’s most skilled athletes as they speed through the renowned Waimea track in Parque da Cidade. Recognized as one of Brazil’s top three tracks by FECIERJ, the event will be curated in collaboration with the Brazilian Downhill Confederation. With over 150 athletes competing across multiple categories, it will be the city’s most significant competition of its kind to date.

Itacoatiara Pro Vela

The Sailing races—featuring their renowned regattas—now contribute to the state ranking in the Optimist, Dingue, and ILCA classes. These races are officially endorsed by FEVERJ and take place in the breathtaking backdrop of Guanabara Bay.

SERVICES – ITACOATIARA PRO 2023:

Itacoatiara Pro World Contest (IBC ITACOATIARA PRO BODYBOARD WORLD TOUR)

Dates: June 9 to 18 (4 chosen days)*

Location: Praia de Itacoatiara

Time: 7:00hrs to 17:00hrs

Itacoatiara Pro Surf

Dates: June 19 to 22 (1 chosen day)*

Location: Praia de Itacoatiara

Time: 7:00hrs to 17:00hrs

Press Release: Eric Schnitzler

@tonydandreafotografia