Filipe Toledo: a dominant performance in front of his home crowd | Photo: Poullenot/WSL

Filipe Toledo has taken out the 2018 Oi Rio Pro, at Barrinha Beach, in Saquarema, Brazil.

The Brazilian wonder boy defeated Wade Carmichael in the final held in four-to-six foot (1.2 -1.8 meters) waves. There were no airs, but a lot of barrels. Filipe won the sixth Championship Tour (CT) event of his career.

Toledo put the Australian in a combination situation with a near-perfect 9.93 point wave and then backed it up with a 7.17. He was the most in-form surfer of the entire event.

"It is emotional to win here in Brazil in front of this crowd. Coming back home and having this amazing support from the crowd, especially for my baby Koa, it is unbelievable. My son and my family are motivation for me," said Toledo in tears.

"I am one of those athletes who performs well under pressure. Koa means warrior and I definitely was a warrior to go out there and get that trophy."

Toledo broke his board in the first minutes of the final but managed to get back into the heat and find the best waves. With this win, Filipe jumped to second place in the rankings. putting him well in the world title conversation at the tour's halfway point. 

"The final is a win or it is a second. It is the last heat and the last chance. That is what I put on my mind. It is time, the big show, my stage, and my passion. I think Barrinha the last few days has been amazing, and I've been training here since I've gotten here. It was amazing to surf over here." 

Wade Carmichael won't certainly forget his rookie year. On the fourth event of the CT season, he secures a runner-up finish.

"I am glad I made it worth my time for sure. It has been hard being away from my little girl and my wife, and to come over here and dig out a good result feels really good. I am happy to have a third, but I would have loved to have won," added Carmichael.

The next stop on the 2018 Dream Tour is the Corona Bali Pro, in Keramas, Indonesia, from May 27 through June 9.

2018 Oi Rio Pro | Final

1. Filipe Toledo (BRA), 17.10
2. Wade Carmichael (AUS), 8.00

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