{"id":126025,"date":"2026-04-09T10:56:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T00:56:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tracksmag.com.au\/?p=126025"},"modified":"2026-04-09T10:56:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T00:56:33","slug":"catching-up-with-brazils-world-champions-dora-medina-toledo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tracksmag.com.au\/catching-up-with-brazils-world-champions-dora-medina-toledo","title":{"rendered":"Catching up with Brazil’s World Champions – Dora, Medina, Toledo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A couple of weeks ago we said an Aussie storm was brewing on the WSL CT. Two rounds into Bells, there’s only one Australian left. Out of a possible nine, George Pittar is the only one left on the men’s side. The Brazilians, meanwhile, have come out swinging. At the end of Round Two only Joao Chianca and Mateus Herdy have been eliminated – with Yago Dora advancing after an all Brazilian clash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fuelled by Yago’s World Title win, the return of Gabriel Medina or claims online that the Brazilian storm had finally passed, the yellow and green contingent have looked anything but faded at Bells. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Round Two Gabby eased past Al Cleland Jr, Italo edged Xavier Huxtable in a back-and-forth battle. The wildcard and home town hero knocked the Brazilian out of the comp last season. Alejo Muniz got past former Bells winner Cole Houshmand and Sammy Pupo looked sharp when he beat Jack Robinson – a heat overshadowed by an interference call that\u2019s since sparked debate online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s early days in the 2026 season, but its a promising start for Brazil. We caught up with the country’s current and former champs. Check out those conversations below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Medina returns with a new statement number on his jersey. Photo: WSL\/Ed Sloane.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Yago Dora<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Expectations for the new season as world champ?<\/strong> Yeah, for sure. There\u2019s definitely a bigger expectation now. Not just from me, but from a lot of other people as well. With Gabriel coming back and everything, in a way that was actually good for me, it took a bit of the spotlight off. But of course, there\u2019s extra pressure from carrying last year\u2019s title. I\u2019m happy though, I\u2019m excited to start this campaign and try to defend it. I know I still have a lot to improve and that\u2019s what I want, to get better at every event and be better than I was last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biggest rival for 2026?<\/strong> It\u2019s an honor for me to hear them (Charles and Andy King) say that I\u2019m his biggest rival. Gabriel has always been an inspiration to me. I\u2019ve watched him surf since I was a kid and saw him achieve everything he has. I\u2019ve always supported him and followed his journey, and I\u2019ve been really inspired by him. So just having my name mentioned as his main rival is super rewarding. I\u2019m really happy he\u2019s back. I love the challenge of competing against the best surfers, against other world champions, that\u2019s what motivates me. I hope he comes back at the level everyone expects, has a great season and that we can really be fighting for the title at the end of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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