Pristine Waves and Record Chasing Performances Highlight World Class Day 3 at 2026 Maldives Pro

THULUSDHOO, MALDIVES – August 15, 2026 – Day 3 of the 2026 Maldives Pro delivered the finest surf conditions of the waiting period so far, as the world’s best bodyboarders put on a masterclass in clean 5-to-6-foot waves at Cokes (Randa Raalhugandu). With light offshore winds grooming the lineup, both the Men’s and Women’s divisions pushed performance levels to new heights, setting up tantalizing Quarterfinal matchups.

Key Highlights:

• Best Conditions Yet: Cokes fired all day with pristine 5-to-6-foot walls and light offshore breezes, providing a world-class canvas for technical riding.
• PLC One Step From History: French legend Pierre-Louis Costes advanced to the Quarterfinals with a 15.75 total, putting him just one heat victory away from securing his 61st career World Tour podium—a new all-time world record.
• Maldivian Surge: Four local Maldivian riders charged into the Men’s Quarterfinals, headlined by 21-year-old Aamin Umar Moosa, who tied for the highest heat total of the day with a 16.50.
• Women’s Division Fireworks: Brazil’s Nicolle Calheiros posted a day-high 9.00-point ride, while defending event champion Namika Yamashita (Japan) dominated her heat with a 16.00 combined total.
• Mother-Daughter Dynamic: Brazilian mother-daughter duo Neymara Carvalho and Luna Hardman both advanced out of Round 3, keeping themselves on a potential Semifinal collision course.

Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups:

• QF 1: Nicolle Calheiros (BRA) vs. Filipa Broeiro (POR)
• QF 2: Joana Schenker (POR) vs. Maíra Viana (BRA)
• QF 3: Namika Yamashita (JPN) vs. Neymara Carvalho (BRA)
• QF 4: Luna Hardman (BRA) vs. Sara Abiko (JPN)

The Men’s Round of 16 launched the knockout bracket phase, where local knowledge proved lethal. The Maldivian contingent put on an extraordinary display, securing four of the eight available spots in the Quarterfinals. Local 21-year-old Aamin Umar Moosa stole the show, posting a blistering 16.50 combined score.

Men’s Quarterfinal Matchups:

• QF 1: Nooh Mohamed Dhunaim Irushad (MDV) vs. Ali Khushruwan (MDV)
• QF 2: Pierre-Louis Costes (FRA) vs. Jonathan Vega (ESP)
• QF 3: Armide Soliveres (ESP) vs. Ashraf Hassan (MDV)
• QF 4: Hugo Naude (FRA) vs. Aamin Umar Moosa (MDV)

The official event call for tomorrow, August 16, is scheduled for 10:00 AM local time, with finals action looming on the horizon.

Catch every heat live, view real-time scores, and watch video recaps on ibcworldtour.com and the official IBC YouTube channel.