On a day of seismic emotions in Saquarema, American Cole Houshmand achieves a historic title and breaks the Brazilian hegemony, while Molly Picklum returns to the top of the world and Luana Silva's journey ignites national pride.

Saquarema, RJ – The sand of Itaúna Beach didn't just tremble, it pulsed. This Sunday, June 29, 2025, the "Maracanã of Surfing" hosted one of the most intense and unpredictable finals in the history of the VIVO Rio Pro. Under the gaze of an enraptured crowd, forming a human cauldron of passion and noise, glory didn't wear green and yellow. It was two foreigners who, with a mix of talent, composure, and courage, silenced the chorus to write their names in history.

American Cole Houshmand and Australian Molly Picklum are the new kings and queen of Saquarema. On a day that tested nerves as much as wave-riding ability, they didn't just win their heats; they deciphered the code of one of the most intimidating stages in the sport. Houshmand's victory was a seismic feat, breaking a Brazilian male dominance that had lasted since 2017. Picklum's was a masterclass in strategy, returning her to the place she coveted most: the top of the world ranking.

However, the story that will be etched in the soul of the Brazilian fans is not about who stood on the highest step of the podium. It's about Luana Silva's journey. The young surfer carried the hopes of a nation on her back, surfing with a tenacity that seemed to draw strength from every shout coming from the sand. She didn't win the final, but her heroic campaign was a triumph in itself, a powerful signal of what the future holds.

This was the day when the raw force of the crowd met the mental resilience of the champions. A day of tears, ecstasy, and, above all, top-level surfing, which proved once again why Saquarema is, and always will be, the heart of world surfing.

Picklum's Mental Fortress Against the Tide of Emotion

The women's final was a duel of narratives. On one side, Molly Picklum, with the composure of a veteran and the hunger of someone who wanted the yellow jersey back. On the other, Luana Silva, the personification of Brazilian hope, surfing on a wave of emotion that led her to defeat giants like two-time world champion Tyler Wright and the 2023 champion, Caroline Marks.

From the first minute of the decisive heat, Picklum made it clear that she wouldn't let herself be swallowed by the atmosphere. Her tactic was impeccable: start strong and dictate the pace. The Australian applied constant pressure, connecting powerful maneuvers with surgical precision, giving Luana no room to breathe or find her rhythm.

While the Brazilian seemed to be fighting not only against her opponent but against the weight of expectation, Picklum surfed with impressive clarity. The victory was sealed with two solid scores, an 8.17 and a 6.83, which put Luana in an insurmountable combination. It was a victory of strategy over passion, of clinical execution over improvisation. Leaving the water, Picklum wasn't just the Rio Pro champion; she was, once again, the number 1 in the world.

Despite the second-place finish, Luana Silva's performance was Brazil's great victory at the event. She came agonizingly close to breaking a 26-year drought for women's surfing in the country at home. Her campaign wasn't an accident; it was an affirmation, showing that the new generation has not only the talent but the heart to compete on equal footing with the best on the planet. The crowd understood this, and applauded her in defeat with the same fervor with which they celebrated her victories.

Houshmand and the Breaking of the Brazilian Fortress

If the women's final was about strategy, the men's was about history. Cole Houshmand, the American "underdog," reached the final against all odds and emerged from the water as the king of Saquarema. In a thrilling final against compatriot Griffin Colapinto, Houshmand displayed impressive power surfing, scoring a total of 16.90 points and making it clear that a new giant had arrived on tour.

Houshmand's journey was that of a silent giant-killer. While the spotlight was on names like Colapinto, Ferreira, and Toledo, he advanced with solid and tactically intelligent surfing. In the semi-final, he was responsible for ending the dream of the last Brazilian in the competition, Miguel Pupo, guaranteeing the first all-American final in Saquarema.

In the decisive heat, against a Colapinto coming off dominant performances, Houshmand didn't flinch. He answered wave for wave, using the power of his backside to attack Itaúna's lefts with controlled violence. His victory, surpassing Colapinto's 14.40, wasn't just a surprise, it was the breaking of a hegemony. For the first time since 2016, a foreigner won in Brazil, and it was precisely the surfer few had pointed to as a favorite.

Houshmand's victory was the result of years of hard work, dedication, and, above all, the courage not to shrink before the biggest and loudest crowd in the world. He didn't just win the stage; he conquered Saquarema.

The Dramas and Magic Behind the Podium

Beyond the champions, the VIVO Rio Pro 2025 was a mosaic of unforgettable moments. Impossible not to mention Italo Ferreira's flight in the round of 16. Needing a high score, the Olympic champion took off on an absurd spinning aerial, scoring a 9.33 and running into the arms of the people, in a scene that sums up the symbiosis between Brazilian surfers and their fans.

Equally dramatic was Miguel Pupo's qualification over three-time world champion Filipe Toledo. In the final seconds, Pupo found a saving wave and, with impressive calm, managed a last-minute comeback, in a demonstration of resilience that sent the beach into a frenzy.

The event also exposed the depth of talent on the women's circuit. The early eliminations of favorites like leader Gabriela Bryan and defending champion Caity Simmers showed that, in a challenging sea like Itaúna's, knowledge of the waves and the ability to adapt are worth more than the name on the jersey.

In the end, the legacy of the VIVO Rio Pro 2025 is twofold. It marks the end of an era of absolute dominance, proving that the Brazilian fortress can be conquered, and the beginning of another, with the rise of a new generation of Brazilian female surfers ready to fight for the top. The dust settles in Saquarema, but the world surfing season is hotter than ever. The battle now moves to the perfect rights of Jeffreys Bay, in South Africa, with the ranking completely reconfigured and the race for the world title completely open.