Filipe TOLEDO

Filipe Toledo: Rise to the World Surfing Circuit

Surfing comes naturally for Toledo with his father Ricardo a two-time Brazilian champion. The second of four children, 'Filipinho' grew up immersed in surfing, watching his father compete.

"Surfing has always been present in my life. My best memories are of being a kid on the beach, surfing," he said. "I've always been very free like that, and I think that's why I loved the sport. I loved surfing because nobody ever pressured me. It was something that had come from me since I was a kid, and I loved it. I said, 'Man, this is what I want to do.' I think the memories of me, my brothers, my family, us on the beach, playing, surfing, I think they are memories that I will never, never forget."

Filipe Toledo: Early success

With his father as his coach, Toledo soon pursued a career in surfing. While still 16 years old, the Ubatuba native won the 2011 ISA World Junior Under-16 title in Peru before triumphing at the US Open Pro Junior.

In 2013, the Brazilian joined the World Surfing League Championship Tour (CT) and finished a creditable 15th place in his first year. A year later, his family moved from Brazil to San Clemente, California to improve his chances of success.

After having two top-five finishes on his second year on the tour, Toledo opened 2015 with his first CT victory at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. He enjoyed further wins on home water at the Rio Pro, and the Rip Curl Pro Portugal to take fourth place in the series.

A winless 2016 was followed by two triumphs in an up-and-down 2017. He also scored two wins - a second Rio Pro success and back-to-back J-Bay Open victories - in 2018, but more consistent placings throughout the season saw him finish third overall.

A third Rio Pro win was the highlight of his 2019 season as he ended the season in fourth. But Ferreira and Medina finished first and second to take Brazil's two Olympic berths.

Filipe Toledo: Back-to-back world champion

After the 2020 campaign was wiped out by the pandemic, Toledo had two wins in 2021. The first came at the Margaret River Pro before he took victory in the Surf Ranch Pro held at Kelly Slater's artificial wave pool in California.

The new CT format saw the top five surfers in the standings battle it out for the title in Lower Trestles, San Clemente. But in his adopted hometown, Toledo had to settle for second behind series leader Medina.

In 2022, Toledo finally secured his first world title. Victories at Bells Beach and a fourth Rio Pro, plus three second-place finishes, saw him take the series lead into the Trestles decider. And the man billed as the fastest surfer in history got the better of Ferreira to achieve his destiny.

Toledo led the standings again in 2023 after three wins and a plethora of top-10 finishes. In the Trestles final, he beat Ethan Ewing to become the first man to secure back-to-back world titles since John John Florence in 2017.

However, success brought new challenges as Toledo found himself overwhelmed by the increased pressure and responsibilities. He will not compete on the CT this year, instead focusing on the World Surfing Games and Paris 2024.

"There came a moment when it became something very heavy for me in relation to the Championship Tour, the obligations of sponsors, and obligations with the travelling league and my children," Toledo told Olympics.com.

Turning to mental health professionals, Toledo incorporated yoga and prayer into his routine. "Nowadays, there are thousands of opportunities for you to work on this. And that's what I did. I tried to evolve and to improve, to get it all out," the Brazilian shared.

With a renewed focus on mental health, Toledo is prepared for the physical and mental challenges that await him at Teahupo'o.