The long-awaited final day of the first event of the year for the IBC World Tour has arrived.
Today’s conditions were epic, with waves reaching up to 4 meters and some strong winds, creating long right-handers where the best athletes in the world put on an amazing show.
The competition kicked off at 8:00 AM local time, and we were about to find out who the new champions of the Taghazout Bay Morocco Pro 2025 would be.
ROUND 7 / MEN PRIME SERIES
The day started with the three heats of Round 7 that were postponed from yesterday.
The first matchup featured Brazilian Eder Luciano against Frenchman Tehei Tahirivairau. Eder had an incredible heat, scoring 17.25, which left Tehei with no chance as he exited the competition with a solid result.
The second heat was super close, decided by just 0.15 points. The current Taghazout Bay champion and world top 3, Brazilian Gabriel Braga, took the win with a score of 14.15, while Frenchman Yann Salaun came in second with 14 points.
The last heat of this round was led by Joaquín Soto, the only representative from Chile, who did his job and advanced first in his heat, showing off some spectacular skills. Moroccan rider Yassine Elghzal didn’t make it through but had a great performance throughout the competition.
QUARTERFINALS / MEN PRIME SERIES
We’re down to the top 8 in this category, and it just so happens to be the best wave conditions of the entire waiting period, so an unmatched spectacle is on the way.
The first surprise of this round came when Brazilian Uri Valadao showed once again why he’s one of the most seasoned and title-winning champions. In a heat with huge waves, he managed to connect two solid rides to take the win, eliminating one of the top favorites, South African Tristan Roberts, who didn’t make it to the semifinals.
The second battle was super exciting, featuring local standout Chajri Badr Eddine against the current IBC World Tour champion, Canary Islander Armide Soliveres. Both riders put on brutal performances, and the excitement was palpable throughout the heat. In a surprising turn, the Moroccan took down the Canarian with a score of 14.75, landing an inverted aerial that earned him an 8.5.
In the third heat of this round, titans Pierre Louis Costes and Eder Luciano faced off, both having great performances throughout the championship. It was a very tight heat, decided by just 0.75 points. Pierre showed his experience and advanced, securing a spot on the podium, while Eder finished with a well-deserved 5th place.
The last quarterfinal heat featured defending champion Gabriel Braga from Brazil, who scored 14.5 to take first place. This time, Chilean Joaquín Soto couldn’t pull it off, but he’s steadily making his mark among the world’s best.
WOMEN PRIME SERIES / SEMIFINALS
It was time for the ladies, with the semifinals underway and the top 4 facing off in great conditions at Anza Beach.
Two-time world champion Alexandra Rinder did her thing and proved her worth again, taking first place and securing another final in her career. Portuguese Filipa Broeiro couldn’t make it this time but earned a well-deserved third place.
The second heat was won by a rider who’s getting stronger every time, Japanese Namika Yamashita, who managed to score 11.85 under tough current conditions to qualify for the final. Former world champion Joana Schenker from Portugal couldn’t make it this time and had to settle for third.
MEN PRIME SERIES / SEMIFINALS
It’s time to find out who the finalists are at Taghazout Bay 2025!
The first semifinal had Brazil’s Uri Valadao going up against the breakout star of the category, Chajri Badr Eddine. Uri, the seasoned rider from Salvador, showed his experience once again, scoring an impressive 18 points and snagging the first 10 of the event. Unfortunately for Chajri, he couldn’t advance this time, but he leaves with a well-deserved third place in his home country, receiving applause from the crowd.
The second semifinal featured the current number 2 and number 3 in the IBC rankings—none other than France’s Pierre Louis Costes and Brazil’s Gabriel Braga. Both riders put on a show, but Pierre didn’t give any chances and took the win with his signature style and fluidity, racking up 16 points. Gabriel may have lost the Taghazout crown, but he still made it to the podium for the second year in a row.
FINAL / WOMEN PRIME SERIES
Now we’re at one of the most anticipated moments of the event—finding out who the new champion in Morocco will be!
It was a battle of true sea warriors: Japan’s Namika Yamashita versus Austria’s Alexandra Rinder, who lives in the Canary Islands. Alexandra couldn’t clinch the win this time, but she leaves with a well-deserved second place and the crowd’s applause.
CHAMPION of the Taghazout Bay Morocco Pro 2025: NAMIKA YAMASHITA!
The Japanese rider triumphed over the Austrian, proving she’s among the world’s elite.
Namika Yamashita said, “I’m super happy to win in Morocco; it’s my second victory on the world tour!”
FINAL MEN PRIME SERIES
What a thrilling final it was, with waves reaching over 4 meters at times!
The showdown was incredibly close between Brazil’s Uri Valadao and France’s Pierre Louis Costes. Pierre scored a solid 16.15 but couldn’t take the win since his rival was on fire. He walks away with a second place, once again proving he’s one of the best athletes in the history of this sport.
URI VALADAO is the new CHAMPION of the Taghazout Bay Morocco Pro 2025!
The Brazilian scored another 10 points, being the only one to do so, showing an amazing connection with the ocean today. He executed an incredible backflip followed by a solid invert that had the crowd and fellow riders cheering.
After an incredible show put on by all the athletes in this event, along with great organization and media coverage, we just want to say thank you to everyone who made this second edition in Morocco possible.
Remember, you can catch all the action from Taghazout Bay from day one of the competition to the final day on our social media and official website.
THANK YOU!
Instagram: ibcworld_tour
Main Organisers:
@fedesurfmaroc
@taghazoutbay.officiel
@ibcworld_tour
@imouransurf
Key Sponsors:
@CR.SOUSSMASSA
@taghazoutbay.officiel
@redbullmoroc
@pridebodyboards
@ripcurl_morocco
@Tikida hotels
@radissonblutaghazoutbay
Local Partners:
@Aanzabluewaves
@newgenerationsurfassociation
@TaghazoutBoardRiders
@RDTRSoussMassa
@crtagadirsm
#WorldBodyboard #ibc2025 #TaghazoutBay #AnzaWaves #BodyboardingMorocco #RideTheWaves #AnchorPointAdventure #bodyboard #bodyboarding #ibcworldtour #visitagadir #visitruralmorocco
