PIERRE LOUIS COSTES MAKES HISTORY AT THE 2026 MALDIVES PRO, BECOMING THE MOST PODIUMED ATHLETE IN BODYBOARDING HISTORY

August 19, 2026

Randa Raalhugandu, Thulusdhoo, Maldives — August 19, 2026 • The Frenchman locks in his 61st pro podium, surpassing the legendary record of 60 podiums held by Brazil’s Guilherme Tâmega. • Semifinalists are set for the Men’s Rising Series and Women’s Prime Series after a day of pumping action at Randa Raalhugandu. Day 4 of the…

Randa Raalhugandu, Thulusdhoo, Maldives — August 19, 2026

• The Frenchman locks in his 61st pro podium, surpassing the legendary record of 60 podiums held by Brazil’s Guilherme Tâmega.

• Semifinalists are set for the Men’s Rising Series and Women’s Prime Series after a day of pumping action at Randa Raalhugandu.

Day 4 of the 2026 Maldives Pro kicked back into high gear this Wednesday at 12:00 PM local time after a three-day layover waiting for the swell to build. The waves picked up big time throughout the day, setting up the perfect backdrop for the world’s best riders to put on a show in the Men’s Rising Series and Women’s Prime Series quarterfinals.

Men’s Rising Series / Quarterfinals

The quarterfinals went down with heavy man-on-man matchups as the final eight battled it out for a spot on the podium:

• Nooh Irushad (Maldives) vs. Ali Khushruwan (Maldives): A super tight local derby that came down to less than a point. Nooh Irushad controlled the heat, linking up solid waves for a 14.50 heat total. His buddy and fellow countryman, super young Ali Khushruwan, built momentum as the heat went on and almost pulled off the upset with a 13.60 score.

• Pierre-Louis Costes (France) vs. Jonathan Vega (Spain/Canary Islands): One of the most hyped matchups of the day. The two-time World Champ put on a clinic, stomping multiple backflips and a massive invert to drop the highest total of the day (16.50 points), leaving the Canarian rider with no answers. By making the semis, PLC locked in his 61st career podium, edging past 5-time World Champ Guilherme Tâmega (60) to become the most decorated podium finisher in bodyboarding history.

• Armide Soliveres (Spain) vs. Ashraf Hassan (Maldives): The 2024 World Champ squared off against one of the event’s biggest breakout riders. The Maldivian held down the lead for most of the heat after throwing a huge 7.50 backflip on his first wave. Armide was on the ropes until the final minutes when he landed a clutch invert roll, squeezing into the semis by a razor-thin 0.20-point margin.

• Aamin Moosa (Maldivas) vs. Hugo Naude (South Africa): A total nail-biter that had the crowd on their feet. Local hero Aamin Moosa edged out a clutch win after a brilliant performance in a super close heat decided by just 0.25 points over the South African powerhouse.

Women’s Prime Series / Quarterfinals

The premier women’s division launched their quarterfinals, with athletes throwing down for podium spots and crucial world title points:

• Filipa Broeiro (Portugal) vs. Nicolle Calheiros (Brazil): Filipa snagged one of the best waves of the day (7.00 points), styling through a spinner straight into a clean ARS. The Portuguese rider punched her ticket to the semis with a strong 13.25 total against the Brazilian veteran.

• Joana Schenker (Portugal) vs. Maira Viana (Brazil): Heavy clash between two World Champs. A super close heat decided by just over a point, with Portugal’s Joana Schenker getting the job done to secure her spot on the Maldives podium.

• Namika Yamashita (Japan) vs. Neymar Carvalho (Brazil): An absolute shocker of a heat where the Japanese rider stayed locked in from start to finish to upset the 5-time World Champ. Yamashita put up the highest women’s total of the day (14.25 points), ripping through the Maldivian section with style, power, and high-intensity combos.

• Luna Hardman (Brazil) vs. Sara Abiko (Japan): A battle of warriors that proved the future of women’s bodyboarding is in great hands. Former Junior World Champ Luna Hardman connected on several solid waves to bag a 13.75 total and move on to the next round.

Final Day

That wraps up an insane penúltimate day of competition, setting the stage for stacked semifinals and finals across all three divisions. Competitors are called for tomorrow at 12:00 PM local time for the grand finale of the 2026 Maldives Pro. You won’t want to miss it!

Organizing Committee & Sponsors (Maldives Pro 2026)

• In Association with: Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports & Fitness.

• Host Island Authority: Secretariat of the Thulusdhoo Council.

• Official Partners: Dhiraagu (Digital Partner), Season Paradise (Accommodation Partner), Bliss View Maldives (Accommodation Partner), Bidhabin Events (Event Partner), Muja’s Art Box (Awards Partner), Surfing Association of Thulusdhoo (Community Partner), Baani Water Sports (Water Safety Partner), Clamshell Restaurant (Catering Partner), Thulusdhoo Local Authority Company (Travel Partner), The Hawks (Energy Partner), Island Apparels (Apparel Partner), Print Lab (Printing Partner), Male Atoll Health Center (Supporting Partner), and STELCO (Supporting Partner).

• Supported by: MNDF and POLICE.

Catch all the action live on the official IBC Media Channels:

• Web: www.ibcworldtour.com

• YouTube: @IBCWorldTour

• Instagram: @ibcworld_tour

• TikTok: @ibcworldtour

• Spotify: IBC World Tour

Athletes in this story

Pierre Louis Costes

FRA

Guilherme Tâmega

BRA

Ali Khushruwan Ahmed

MDV

Jonathan Vega Luján

ESP

Armide Soliveres

ESP

Ashraf Hassan

MDV

Aamin Moosa

MDV

Hugo Naude

RSA

Filipa Broeiro

POR

Nicolle Calheiros

BRA

Joana Schenker

POR

Maíra Viana

BRA

Namika Yamashita

JPN

Luna Hardman

BRA

Sara Abiko

JPN

EventVISIT MALDIVES PRO 2026

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