Matthew Moir successfully defended his ISA World Longboard title on the final day of the 2008 ISA World Surfing Games at Costa de Caparica in Portugal on Sunday.
The Capetonian was joined on the podium by fellow South African Dave Lee (Uvongo) who came fourth in the Men’s Bodyboarding and the SA tag team who also came fourth in the Aloha Cup.
Moir won all five heats he contested en route to his second gold medal, as he did in California in 2006. This is inspiring him to match the three consecutive longboard titles won by Brazil’s Marcelo Freitas.
“I’m so, so stoked. I never thought I would have the chance to win two events in a row. Marcelo Freitas won it three times in a row and I’ve done it twice, so I’m pretty happy for that. I had great support from my teammates on the beach. That was amazing, I just can’t believe it.”
Australia emerged as the champion nation at the 22nd edition of the “Olympics of Surfing”, earning the accolade for the third consecutive time. American CJ Hobgood took the men’s surfing title,
Australian Sally Fitzgibbons triumphed in the women’s surfing, Brazilian Marcus Lima in the men’s bodyboarding, Natasha Sagardia earned a first gold medal for Puerto Rico in women’s bodyboarding and France won the Aloha Cup tag team event
