The ArcelorMittal Wahine Bodyboarding Pro 2023 has come to an end. During the first event of the World Tour, athletes from all over the world put on a show at Solemar Beach, Jacaraípe, in Espírito Santo, Brazil, fighting for the first title of the season.
Hawaiian Aarya Tabalno won the Pro Junior final, Japanese Sari Ohhara won the Women final and in the last heat of the day, Brazilian Mariana Nogueira won the Master division, becoming two-time champion.
Sixteen year old Aarya Tabalno won the Pro Junior in great fashion and on an exciting heat, scoring 14.75 points in the final. Coming in second, Luna Hardman, from Brazil, signed 10.75 points total score.
Namika Yamashita and Sari Ohhara had an all-Japanese final in the Pro Womens division. Both of them showed impressive maneuvers during the course of the draw, but Sari acored the highest score of the competition with a 9.00 point wave, and opened a good lead on the scoreboard.
Namika responded, with powerful moves, but was unable to exceed the mark. Ohhara was declared champion (after placed 2nd last year). Portuguese Joana Schenker, 2017 world champion, placed third overall after losing to Namika Yamashita in the semis.
“One of my best days ever! Such a good feeling to start the 2023 IBC World Tour with a win in Brazil. Thanks to all the people who were there and made this event a huge success. And big thank you for the support!”, commented the Japanese bodyboarder and former world champ in 2019.
Ending the day, Mariana Nogueira (Brazil) and Catarina Sousa (Portugal) went in the water for the title in the Master division. It was the third heat of the day for both of them. From the first wave, Mariana showed why she was the champion in 2022. She defeated her Portuguese opponent, becoming the first Wahine two-time champion.
Next stop is the Antofagasta Bodyboarding Festival, in Chile, from 18-28 May. xxx
