Neymara Carvalho: the greatest Brazilian bodyboarder of all time | Photo: CBRASB

The Brazilian Bodyboarding Confederation (CBRASB) announced that it will award equal prize money for men and women.

The historic decision was made "after an evaluation of the technical criteria" and will already be adopted in the third stage of the Brazilian Bodyboarding Circuit, held in Vila Velha, in the state of Espirito Santo.

CBRASB responded positively to a request initially made by the government of Espirito Santo but has not yet confirmed whether the decision will be valid for the upcoming events and seasons.

"We understand the days we're living in, and equal distribution of prize money for both categories is nothing more than fair treatment," explains José Jarbas Soares, president of the CBRASB.

"It is important to emphasize that female bodyboarding is one of the most successful sports in Brazil, with several world champions. Neymara Carvalho is one of them. She is considered the greatest athlete of all time with five world titles."

Carvalho and Ferrari Are Thrilled

The Capixaba Bodyboarding Brasil 2018, third stop on the 2018 Brazilian Bodyboarding Circuit, will deliver a total prize purse of R$20,000 ($5,120).

"We are extremely happy with this decision, and hopefully it will be perpetuated forever in the sport. We have governor Paulo Hartung the valorization of feminine values," added Neymara Carvalho.

"As an athlete and undersecretary for tourism in Vila Velha, I feel even more honored and proud to be Capixaba, and conquer at home what I have been aiming for years, which is equality in my sport."

Recently, the Gran Canaria Windsurf World Cup announced the adoption of an equal prize money policy in the event. The sport of bodyboarding follows windsurfing, but there's still a lot to be done in other major wave sports.

"Wake up bodyboarding and surfing world: this is one of the biggest steps to the growth of the women's division. Congratulations to all involved in this battle. I really thought I wouldn't see this happen in my lifetime," expressed bodyboarding veteran, Claudia Ferrari.

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