Italo Ferreira has taken out the 2018 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, in Australia.
The Brazilian surfer defeated Mick Fanning in the final. The clash went down in near-perfect five-to-seven foot surf at the iconic surf break.
"I can't believe it. That was such a sick heat. I started slow, but after that it was amazing. Mick is one of my favorite surfers in the world. That was unbelievable," expressed Ferreira.
The 23-year-old athlete secured his first event on the Championship Tour (CT).
"I've been working hard over the last few years. I remember my first final with Filipe in Portugal, and it was so close, and now I got it. I'm just so happy that this is my job."
Fanning surfed his last heat as a professional and, despite the result, he was happy with his performance and with the outcome.
"It was a very special moment with the crowd, my best friends are here, and then to just be in the final with Italo and to see how much it meant for him actually made me feel a lot better,” continued Fanning.
Mick spent 17 years on Tour and won 22 CT stages. He will now focus on free surfing and other personal and business interests.
“To all the people surfing in this event, it was so much fun. Seabass, Paddy Gudang, Wilko, Owen - every time I paddled out, I felt like I was going surfing with a mate, and that was really special."
2018 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach | Final
1. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.66
2. Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.83