- WSL / Luis Patiño - Media Pro

Samuel Pupo (BRA) has added a prestigious achievement to his career by becoming the 2018 WSL South America Pro Junior Champion. In a high-scoring affair, Pupo defeated Jhonny Guerrero (PER) in the Final of the O'Neill Pro Junior presented by Petroperu to earn his maiden WSL Title.

Sol Aguirre and Samuel Pupo - O'Neill Pro Junior pres. por Petroperu Sol Aguirre and Samuel Pupo - WSL / Luis Patiño - Media Pro

The perfect lefthanders in Lobitos provided ample opportunity for the athletes, who were able to earn rides in the excellent range all weekend long. However, Pupo's combination of rail-to-rail surfing mixed in with a nifty aerial game put him head and shoulders above his competitors.

In his first heat on Sunday, Sammy destroyed a long left to earn an almost perfect ride of a 9.80 (out of a possible 10 points). He later added an 8.25 for the highest heat total of the event with an 18.05. Pupo then obtained an 8.75 in his Quarterfinal battle against fellow Brazilian Lucas Vicente and followed by opening up his Semifinal with a 9.50 on his first wave.

Samuel Pupo - O'Neill Pro Junior pres. por Petroperu Samuel Pupo - WSL / Luis Patiño - Media Pro

In addition to the two finalists, Eduardo Motta (BRA) and Raul Dañino (PER) also guaranteed their spots as the South American representatives at the World Pro Junior Championships in Taiwan in December.

In the Women's division, the current WSL South America Pro Junior Champion Sol Aguirre (PER) took top honors over Daniela Rosas (PER) in an all-Peruvian Final at the O'Neill Pro Junior. Aguirre displayed her championship mettle throughout the weekend with consecutive high-scores in all of her heats.

Sol Aguirre - O'Neill Pro Junior pres. por Petroperu Sol Aguirre - WSL / Luis Patiño - Media Pro

With her victory, Sol Aguirre is one step closer to clinching her second WSL South America Pro Junior Title. However, before she can place her hands on the trophy, she needs to earn a significant result at the decisive São Chico Eco Festival in Santa Catarina, Brazil. In addition to having the title on the line, the runner-up in the final rankings will also receive a spot at the WSL World Junior Championships in Taiwan.

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