Tokyo 2020 surfing champion Italo Ferreira injures knee during Championship Tour stage in South Africa to hit Olympic hopes
Ferreira's chances of defending his title at Paris 2024 hit, with four Brazilians currently higher ranked in the world and two more Championship Tour spots left in the season.
Surfing
Tokyo 2020 surfing champion Italo Ferreira was taken to hospital on Tuesday (18 July) after injuring his knee during the World Championship Tour stop in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.
Ferreira landed a pair of high-scoring tricks in the first 15 minutes of the elimination heat against Hawaii’s Ian Gentil and was in the lead, but then wiped out while attempting a high-speed backside floater.
The hard landing had his knee buckling onto the board at a wrong angle. Visibly in pain, Ferreira soon waved for help and was taken to shore by a Jet Ski.
“I am really sorry,” Ferreira wrote on his Instagram page later. “I had to abandon the heat and go straight to the hospital after making a mistake and hurting my right knee. Unlike last year, I wasn't able to continue after feeling a lot of pain. I've been working hard to be strong and avoid this type of injury, but unfortunately there is a risk! I hope it's nothing serious and I can get back as soon as possible, but with other plans! Because I can't reach my ultimate goal.”
The injury is a setback in Ferreira’s efforts to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and defend his title there.
Ten male athletes will qualify through the 2023 season of the Championship Tour, with each National Olympic Committee (NOC) allowed two male quotas. The only exception is Japan who won an extra male quota at the 2022 World Surfing Games and can now send three athletes to compete at Teahupo'o.
The competition for the two spots on the Brazilian team is fierce with four men ranked among the world’s Top 10. Ferreira is currently ranked behind teammates Filipe Toledo, Joao Chianca, Yago Dora, and Gabriel Medina, all of whom have won at least one WSL Championship Tour stage this season.
Brazil can earn a third men's spot by winning the World Surfing Games as a team next year, in which case the defending men's champion could still secure a berth at Paris 2024.