Brazil's Adriano De Souza took the biggest win of his career as he claimed his first ASP World Tour title at the Billabong Pro Mundaka, beating Australian Chris Davidson in the final.
De Souza had to struggle with variable conditions ranging from clean surf on the opening day to a lengthy, seven-day wait before the event finished at the back up location in Sopelana.
It was the 22-year-old's first victory on the ASP World Tour, and he was left speechless... almost. “I don’t have words to express how happy I am right now,” De Souza was overwhelmed. “I have been working so hard for this ever since winning the ASP World Junior Championships and the ASP WQS. To finally win here in Mundaka, where the culture is so rich and the people love surfing so much, is an incredible thing. This is the most special day of my life.”
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The win at stop eight of the tour was all the sweeter after De Souza already tasted defeat in two finals this year. But he dominated the final in punchy waves at Sopelana, beating Chris Davidson with 16.40 out of a possible 20 points. The young Brazilian is also the first South American to win the prestigious event.
“The conditions have been hard for this event but we surfed the best waves that were available to us,” De Souza said. “Davo (Chris Davidson) is such a strong surfer and he has been going after a win for so long. When he beat C.J. (Hobgood) in the semi-finals, I knew it was going to be a battle. I was able to get the better waves today and that’s why I won.”
The victory lifts De Souza into a solid third place on the 2009 ASP World Tour ratings, putting him into a good striking position in the world title race just behind current world tour leader Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson in second place.
“I’m not thinking about the world title right now,” De Souza said. “I am just enjoying my win. This is the biggest win of my career and have a lot of confidence heading into the next events.”
The next stop on the ASP World tour is the Rip Curl Search at Supertubos in Peniche, Portgual, from October 19-28.
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