Medina Wins Philippines Stop and Takes Second Place in the WSL Rankings
The Brazilian beat Australia's Jack Robinson in the final, in waves generated by a typhoon, ending a drought of more than three years.
Translated from the Portuguese original by the Panorama newsroom. Read in Portuguese
Summary written by the Panorama newsroom from the sources listed below. Facts are attributed to the original publications.
Gabriel Medina on Tuesday (3) won the WSL's opening stop in the Philippines, held in heavy waves generated by a typhoon. It was the three-time world champion's first win on the tour since April 2023, at Margaret River, Australia, Folha reported.
With the victory, Medina moves into second place in the 2026 rankings, behind Yago Dora, the reigning world champion, whom he beat in the semifinals. In the women's event, American Caitlin Simmers overcame an injury and took the title.
In the final, against Australia's Jack Robinson, a tube-riding specialist, Medina started strong and scored a 7.5. Robinson responded, but the Brazilian waited for the right wave and landed a giant barrel worth a 9.43, for a total of 16.93 from his two best waves. Robinson finished with 14.50.
The stop took place on the Cloud 9 reef break, on Siargao Island, with a large crowd watching from a tower and from the reef itself.
The next and final stop on the tour will be at Pipeline, in Hawaii, from December 8 to 20.