Two-time world champion Filipe Toledo will not participate in the World Surf League for the rest of 2024, but plans to participate in the Olympics, according to media in his home country of Brazil.
“In the past, I have been honest about not only my injuries but also my mental health issues.” Posted on Toledo social media. “Competing at the highest level over the past 10 years has taken a toll on me, so I need a break to recover for the next chapter of my career.”
The 28-year-old Toledo made the announcement after an early exit in the WSL season opener in Hawaii. He posted that he was given a wild card to return to the tour in 2025.
According to Brazilian media, Toledo's post did not mention the Olympics, but he later said in a video that he was focused on them.
In 2022, Toledo became the third Brazilian player to win a world title in recent years. In 2023, he becomes the first athlete to repeat as world champion since American John John Florence in 2017.
Toledo missed out on the Brazilian national team's first appearance at the Tokyo Olympics. In the 2019 season, when qualification was decided, he was ranked 4th in the world, but 3rd among Brazilians, and each country could only have up to two surfers of both genders qualify.
His compatriot Italo Ferreira won gold at the Olympics.
Last month, Tokyo gold medalist Carissa Moore announced that she would be shortening her WSL schedule this year, taking a break from competitive surfing after this summer's Olympics, and looking to start a family. She said Moore left the door open for her return to competition in the coming years.
Also in January, eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore of Australia announced she would be taking a break from the 2024 season, including withdrawing from Olympic consideration.