Home

Olympics

“Big Moment to Be in…”: Kelly Slater Salutes 2023 Vivo Rio Pro’s Winner as He Makes Big Waves Despite Competing Against Legends

Published 07/02/2023, 4:01 PM EDT

Follow Us

The World Surf League has recently gained immense popularity in the sports world. Yago Dora and Caitlin Simmers emerged victorious in the 2023 VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona. It’s a significant event in the World Surf League Championship Tour. Amidst the excitement, one cannot overlook the iconic presence of the 11X Olympic Champion, the legendary surfer known for conquering the waves.

Despite competing against seasoned legends, the winners made a significant impact and received recognition from Slater, a renowned name in the sport. The 2023 VIVO Rio Pro showcased the prowess of these surfers and highlighted their ability to make waves in the surfing community.

Slater salutes winners in the thrilling world of surfing

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Earlier today, the legendary surfer took to Instagram, expressing his admiration for the series winners. In a heartfelt message, he acknowledged the significance of the moment, stating, “Big moment to be in the top 5 now”. The Olympic surfer expressed his excitement for Yago Dora, whom he tagged as one of his emerging all-time favorite surfers.

Slater also reflected on the intense competition, envisioning the upcoming battle between Yago, John John Florence, and Gabriel Medina, shaping up for the final two events at J Bay and Teahupo’o. He encouraged them with a resolute “Let’s go,” tagging Pro Surfer and businessman Leandro Dora. He also did not forget to tag World Surf League’s official page.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest Olympics stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

 In the end, the semifinals saw Carissa Moore and John John Florence being eliminated, resulting in a shared third-place finish for both champions. Caitlin Simmers and Yago Dora emerged as the triumphant event winners. Despite the setback, Carissa Moore retains her position at the top of the rankings and has already secured a spot in the highly anticipated WSL finals. The competition remains in full swing, offering a captivating and intense spectacle for surfing enthusiasts worldwide.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Dora’s historic win and Simmers’ rise shine

The results of the event had a significant impact on the rankings. Caitlin Simmers and Yago Dora are now emerging within the Top 5.  Ethan Ewing’s strong performance elevated him to No. 3, while Carissa Moore maintained her ranking lead heading into the upcoming event at J-Bay.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Yago Dora’s historic maiden CT event win marked a pivotal moment in his career. It propelled him from No. 12 to No. 5 on the rankings and placed him in contention for the coveted World Title. The competition witnessed Dora’s triumph over esteemed opponents such as Gabriel Medina and John John Florence. 

Watch This Story: Watch This Rare Natural Phenomenon at Scenic Surfing Destination That Will Make Your Day

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Gincy Abraham

326Articles

One take at a time

Gincy Abraham, an accomplished sports news writer at EssentiallySports, has a profound passion for surfing and a talent for covering the latest developments in sports. With expertise in Olympic news, Gincy captures the essence of the global sporting event. With a bachelor's degree in journalism and years of experience as a news reporter, Gincy is always in pursuit to deliver accurate content religiously.
Show More>

Edited by:

Anupama Ghosh