Final 5 Surfers Set to Battle for 2025 World Titles at WSL Finals Fiji

Elite field of competitors ready to clash at Cloudbreak as championship season reaches dramatic conclusion

CLOUDBREAK, Fiji – The stage is set for one of surfing’s most anticipated showdowns as the Final 5 men’s and women’s surfers prepare to compete for the 2025 World Surf League Championship Titles at the Lexus WSL Finals Fiji Presented by Corona Cero. The winner-take-all competition will crown world champions on the single best day of waves during the event window of August 27 through September 4, 2025.

First-time No. 1 seeds Molly Picklum (AUS) and Yago Dora (BRA) lead contrasting fields into the final battle at Cloudbreak, with the women’s division showcasing emerging talent while the men’s field features seasoned veterans hungry for championship glory.

Women’s Championship Contenders

Molly Picklum (AUS) – No. 1 Seed

After two consecutive years entering as the No. 4 seed, Picklum has delivered a phenomenally consistent 2025 campaign that sees her leading the rankings by a significant margin. The 22-year-old Australian arrives in Fiji riding momentum from four straight finals appearances, including victories at the VIVO Rio Pro and Lexus Tahiti Pro.

Picklum’s versatility has been her calling card this season, making at least the semifinals in eight of 11 events across diverse conditions from Surf Abu Dhabi to Teahupo’o. Her backhand barrel mastery at Pipeline and Teahupo’o provided some of the season’s most memorable moments.

“To be coming into Finals number one, it’s what you dream of,” Picklum said. “I feel so much different this year, I’m not grasping on to feeling like I need to win, I just believe I can.”

Rising Hawaiian Stars Lead Championship Chase

The women’s field features two WSL Finals newcomers from Hawaii – Gabriela Bryan (No. 2 seed) and Bettylou Sakura Johnson (No. 5 seed) – joining an exclusive group that includes only five-time World Champion Carissa Moore and three-time champion John John Florence as Hawaiians to reach this stage.

Bryan, known as the Tour’s most powerful surfer, has delivered a breakout 2025 season with three CT victories, including back-to-back wins in Margaret River. The 23-year-old’s explosive frontside attack has redefined her career trajectory after previously needing strong results just to survive the mid-season cut.

Johnson’s remarkable turnaround story highlights the field’s depth. After struggling early in the season following major team changes, the 20-year-old found her rhythm midway through the year, claiming breakthrough victories on the Gold Coast and at Trestles.

Defending champion Caity Simmers (USA, No. 3 seed) and 2023 world champion Caroline Marks (USA, No. 4 seed) round out the women’s Final 5, bringing championship experience to a field defined by youth and hunger.

Men’s Title Race Features Veteran Contenders

Yago Dora (BRA) – No. 1 Seed

The 29-year-old Brazilian has captured the surfing world’s attention with his classic style and advanced aerial repertoire. Competing in his seventh CT season, Dora claimed his second and third career victories at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal and Lexus Trestles Pro, earning his first-ever Yellow Leader Jersey.

“I’ve always been kind of a team player, trying to let the other guys shine,” Dora reflected. “But I’ve been trying to put myself first. I know the potential I have to be fighting for World Titles, not only this year but in many years to come.”

Jordy Smith’s Championship Quest Continues

At 37, Jordy Smith (RSA, No. 2 seed) represents the Tour’s most experienced competitor and perhaps its most compelling storyline. The two-time World Title runner-up has experienced a remarkable resurgence in 2025, claiming his first event victories since 2017 with wins in El Salvador and Margaret River.

Smith’s journey back to championship contention after years of struggle has resonated throughout the surfing community, bringing renewed joy and freedom to his competitive approach.

The men’s field also features Griffin Colapinto (USA, No. 3 seed), who engineered one of the season’s most dramatic turnarounds after facing potential mid-season elimination, Jack Robinson (AUS, No. 4 seed), the defending Fiji Pro champion and Paris 2024 Olympic Silver Medalist, and 2019 World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA, No. 5 seed), seeking his second world title.

Championship Format and Viewing

The unique Finals format creates maximum drama, with surfers competing in elimination matches until only one man and one woman remain standing as world champions. The competition will run on the single best day of surf conditions during the nine-day window.

Competition updates begin Wednesday, August 27, at 7:30 a.m. GMT+12, with live coverage available on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app.

The Lexus WSL Finals Fiji represents the culmination of an extraordinary 2025 Championship Tour season, where established champions face hungry challengers in one of surfing’s most prestigious venues. With perfect barrels and world titles on the line, Cloudbreak promises to deliver a fitting finale to the professional surfing season.

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