In a historic day of professional surfing, Australia’s Molly Picklum and Brazil’s Yago Dora have claimed their maiden World Surf League (WSL) World Titles at the Lexus WSL Finals in Fiji. The prestigious event, held at the legendary Cloudbreak, saw both top seeds rise to the occasion, navigating challenging conditions to etch their names in surfing history.
Key Takeaways
- Molly Picklum and Yago Dora secured their first-ever WSL World Titles.
- The finals were held at the iconic Cloudbreak in Fiji, with challenging surf conditions.
- Picklum defeated Caroline Marks in a thrilling women’s final, while Dora overcame Griffin Colapinto in the men’s final.
- This marks a significant moment for Australian and Brazilian surfing.
A Historic Day at Cloudbreak
The WSL Finals at Cloudbreak delivered a dramatic conclusion to the 2025 Championship Tour. Surfers battled not only each other but also the powerful and unpredictable waves of the Fijian reef. The conditions, which at times escalated to double-overhead, tested the athletes’ skill, strategy, and resilience.
Molly Picklum, a 22-year-old powerhouse from Australia, solidified her dominant season by overcoming a strong challenge from American Caroline Marks. Despite losing the first heat of their Championship Match, Picklum demonstrated incredible grit, rallying to win the subsequent two heats with exceptional performances, including high-scoring barrels. Her victory continues a strong lineage of Australian female world champions.
On the men’s side, Brazil’s Yago Dora, 29, also achieved a career-defining moment. Entering as the number one seed, Dora faced a formidable Griffin Colapinto. Dora’s strategic approach and wave selection proved superior, allowing him to secure the title in the first heat of their Championship Match, extending Brazil’s recent dominance in men’s surfing.
Performances and Milestones
Picklum’s journey to the title was marked by consistency and a powerful backhand. She had held the Yellow Leader Jersey for much of the season, underscoring her strong performance throughout the year. Her victory is particularly meaningful as she joins Australian surfing legends like Layne Beachley and Stephanie Gilmore.
Dora’s win is a testament to his progression on the Championship Tour. After several years of strong performances, 2025 proved to be his breakthrough season. His victory adds another chapter to the celebrated "Brazilian Storm" in professional surfing, with Brazil now holding a significant number of world titles in the past decade.
The event also highlighted the evolving landscape of professional surfing, with young athletes like Picklum and Marks achieving top honors. The WSL Finals format, which culminates the season in a single, high-stakes event, once again provided a thrilling spectacle for fans worldwide.
Sources
- Molly Picklum, Yago Dora Win WSL Finals, Claim World Titles, SURFER Magazine.
- Yago Dora, Molly Picklum Win 2025 Surfing World Titles in Fiji, The Inertia.
- City Life Org – Molly Picklum and Yago Dora Crowned 2025 World Champions at Lexus WSL Finals Fiji Presented
by Corona Cero, City Life Org. - WSL Finals: Molly Picklum, Yago Dora top Caroline Marks, Griffin Colapinto for world titles, NBC Sports.
- Molly Picklum and Yago Dora join illustrious list of World Champs at Lexus WSL Finals Fiji I Corona Cero Post
Show, World Surf League.
