Brazilian Italo Ferreira remembers idol Ayrton Senna with celebration at Surf Abu Dhabi Pro

ABU DHABI: They say not all superheroes wear capes, but Italo Ferreira certainly does.

Having won the inaugural Surf Abu Dhabi Pro final at the weekend after two waves of four, Ferreira celebrated by tying a Brazil flag around his neck and hopping back on his board.

The clip of the Olympic 2020 gold medalist and 2019 World Surf League Championship Tour winner weaving in and out of the Surf Abu Dhabi waves with his nation’s flag billowing may turn out to be an iconic sporting moment.

While many may have thought of Superman, patriotic Ferreira had another sporting superhero in mind — Brazil’s late, great three-time Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna, who celebrated in similar fashion.

“That was a really cool moment for me,” said Ferreira. “It was like Ayrton Senna, one of the idols from Brazil. We have so many good sporting talents in Brazil who inspire us, both from the past and right now. It was a really cool moment for me.”

For confirmation of the adoration for Brazil’s sports stars, you only had to look at the capacity crowd at Surf Abu Dhabi on Hudayriyat Island over the three days of action.

There was a sea of yellow including many Brazilian jerseys with the numbers of Ronaldo or Neymar on their backs. But the most important number for Ferreira, who surfs wearing 15, is now No. 1 as the champion.

“That was really special for me making history here,” said Ferreira of his victory at the debut Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, which was also the first time the Middle East has hosted a WSL Championship Tour event.

“I’m so glad to live in this moment, that was very special. It’s great to be here and have this kind of wave pool in the middle of the desert in Abu Dhabi,” the 30-year-old added.

Surf Abu Dhabi’s