The Michoacán native becomes the first Mexican ever to win an IBC World Tour event after an epic final day at Boca de Pascuales. Kalani Favela took down three world champions, scored the only perfect 10 point ride, and locked in the highest total score of the event.
With the podium already locked in for the top four by the semifinals, the battle for the final threw the level of riding into overdrive:
Amaury Lavernhe vs. Brahim Iddouch: A super tight, back-and-forth heat between two good friends. It came down to the wire and was decided by just a single point, with Lavernhe punchin’ his ticket to the big final. Iddouch took home third. “Pascuales is a brutal wave that takes you right to your limit. The level of the local riders like young Oliver or Kalani Favela is insane,” Lavernhe said.
Pierre Louis Costes vs. Kalani Favela: Favela pulled off an unforgettable feat for Mexican bodyboarding, putting one of the greatest of all time in a combination situation. The Michoacán rider dropped the highest heat total of the entire event (19 out of a possible 20 points) and scored the event’s only perfect 10 after the judges watched him drive through a massive, heavy barrel and stomp a massive rollo.
The final showdown pinned the legend Amaury Lavernhe against the event’s breakout star, Kalani Favela. Keeping a perfect streak alive by winning every single one of his heats in first place, Favela took down the Spaniard in the final to claim the championship title.
An emotional Kalani Favela shared after hoisting the trophy: “As kids, we always look up to these pros. I never thought I’d be the first Mexican to pull this off. I’ve gone through some really rough times, especially when I lost my parents, but with faith and hard work, anything is possible. Now I’m up here winning against the pros, and I want to make it clear that Mexico is on the map. There are so many Mexican riders with a ton of talent to show the world. I dedicate this trophy to Mexico, to my parents, and to everyone backing me. This is just the beginning. Huge thanks to the event organizer, Gene Paul, because without his hard work, none of this happens. VIVA MÉXICO!”<
02. Amaury Lavernhe (Spain)
03. Pierre-Louis Costes (France)
03. Brahim Iddouch (Morocco)
