Portuguese bodyboarding has once again reached the top of the podium. Luana Dourado has been crowned Junior Bodyboarding World Champion after winning the 2026 Wahine Bodyboarding Pro at Praia do Solemar, in Jacaraípe, Brazil.
Following three consecutive Junior World Championship runner-up finishes, the young Portuguese rider finally secured the title she had been pursuing, bringing her Junior career to a brilliant conclusion.
A perfect competition in Brazil
Luana Dourado delivered an outstanding performance from the opening round and won all six heats she contested.
She immediately sent a message to her rivals by recording a combined total of 17.00 points in the opening round, one of the standout performances of the entire competition.
On Finals Day, Luana defeated France’s Emie Padois in the semifinals to secure her place in the title-deciding heat. In the final, she faced Brazil’s Melissa Souza, who had previously eliminated defending World Champion Alice Teotónio.
The Portuguese rider took control of the heat and finished with 12.50 points, ahead of Souza’s 8.75, confirming her victory at the Wahine Bodyboarding Pro and securing the Junior World Championship title.
World champion at the fourth attempt
This victory represents a particularly special moment in Luana Dourado’s career.
After finishing as Junior World Championship runner-up for three consecutive seasons, the Portuguese rider remained determined and returned even stronger in 2026. Her victory in Brazil rewards that consistency and adds a world title to a record that already includes several national and international achievements.
The new champion succeeds fellow Portuguese rider Alice Teotónio, who claimed the title in 2025, highlighting the strength of a generation that continues to establish Portugal as one of the leading nations in women’s bodyboarding.
More strong results for Portugal
The Wahine Bodyboarding Pro also delivered other important results for Portuguese bodyboarding.
In the Masters division, Marta Leitão finished as World Championship runner-up, losing an extremely close final to Brazil’s Soraia Rocha by only 0.50 points.
In the Open competition, Filipa Broeiro and Alice Teotónio both finished third after reaching the semifinals. Japan’s Namika Yamashita won the event and completed an undefeated season with three victories from three events.
Congratulations, Luana!
At SurfersLab, we are extremely proud to follow the continued growth of Portuguese bodyboarding and celebrate the achievements of our riders.
After three consecutive World Championship runner-up finishes and several years of working towards this goal, the well-deserved world title has finally arrived.
Congratulations, Luana! 2026 Junior Bodyboarding World Champion!🎉🎉
