North Narrabeen, Sydney, Aus- Brazilian Adriano De Souza today became the youngest surfer to ever clinch an ASP world title by winning the Billabong Junior Championships, defeating Australian Shaun Cansdell (Mullaway, Aus) Sunday, Jan. 4. The diminutive 16-year-old natural footer
North Narrabeen, Sydney, Aus- Brazilian Adriano De Souza today became the youngest surfer to ever clinch an ASP world title by winning the Billabong Junior Championships, defeating Australian Shaun Cansdell (Mullaway, Aus) Sunday, Jan. 4.
The diminutive 16-year-old natural footer showed no nerves against his more experienced opponents, posting the highest combined total of the entire tournament in round one for 17.9-points.
Against Cansdell in the decider De Souza opened with a rare righthander, setting the early pace following his 7.67 score. He then focused on the lefthanders and found another gem, belting a massive backhand re-entry and collected an 8.33 for the commanding lead that never wavered.
De Souza has now added his name to an honor roll including reigning two-time world champion Andy Irons (1998), Australian Joel Parkinson (1999 & ’01) and fellow Brazilian Pedro Henrique, who claimed the title in 2000.
Tied for third were Hawaiians Daniel Jones and Sean Moody. Jones, who hails from a great family of Hawaiian surfers, took out some of the big names in the tournament, including good friend and yesterday’s high scorer Kekoa Bacalso this morning. Against a fired up Cansdell he trailed from the start however, and ultimately needed a combination of waves totaling 16.84-points.
Moody, 20, was extremely unlucky in his match against De Souza. The Hawaiian posted the best single score of 8.33-points, but then waited an agonizing 9-minutes for another ride. After his opponent fell on a last good wave, priority went to Moody, but even still he was unable to find the 2.17 he was searching for. Returning from a serious leg injury however, the result is a great confidence boost.
