Fitzgibbons, Wilson fall short in Gold Coast Pro final
The 36-year-old squared off against Felipe Toledo in the title decider which was a repeat of their 2015 final, also won by the Brazilian, and was edged in a thriller 17.60 to 17.20.
Fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons also went down swinging in the women's final at Burleigh Heads with Hawaii's Bettylou Sakura Johnson claiming her first World Surf League trophy.
After almost four years away from the tour, Wilson claimed the sole wildcard for the main event by winning the pre-competition trial and then surfed his way all the way through to Saturday's final.
He and two-time world champion Toledo went blow for blow, with the crowd packed on the headland roaring their approval for both veterans for their lofty airs and searing turns.
In his first final for 2025 after taking last season off, Toledo, who scored a perfect 10 ride in his semi-final, set the benchmark early with an 8.53 which he backed up with a 9.07.
Former world No.2 Wilson kept hammering, with his top scoring waves of 8.80 and 8.40 coming in the back-end of the final in a heated finish between the rivals.
10 years later and @filipetoledo wins another @originalbonsoy #GoldCoastPro!! 🏆Huge congrats to Filipe.@gwmaustralia @experiencegoldcoast @queensland pic.twitter.com/KhndveudJh
— World Surf League (@wsl) May 10, 2025
But in the end there was no fairytale finish and fifth title for the Sunshine Coast product, who will compete in the Challenger Series next year.
"It's not easy to step away from the thing you love to prioritise your family and watch from the sidelines and I guess these surfers inspire me so much," said an emotional Wilson.
"This is what I was born to do. My kids got to share it this week and it's been super, super special."
Seeking her first CT title since a win at Rottnest Island in 2021, Fitzgibbons was also denied by the Hawaiian young gun.
The 34-year-old threw everything at her young rival, surfing a mammoth 13 waves, but fell short with a two-wave score of 7.83 to Sakura Johnson's impressive tally of 15.33.
FIRST CT WIN FOR BETTYLOU 🏆A huge congrats to Bettylou, winner of the 2025 @originalbonsoy #GoldCoastPro!@Queensland pic.twitter.com/MxytVlxX6N
— World Surf League (@wsl) May 10, 2025
The Gerroa surfer went to the air four times, trying to stick a landing that would give her a score to put her back in contention, but she was unable to seal the deal.
"I wanted to get it together so bad in that final but it was Betty's day," Fitzgibbons said.
"It's been a fight and a grind in the last few years, but I want to be here and my deep desire is to keep surfing."
It was Sakura Johnson's second win of the day over a local hope after earlier eliminating top-ranked Australian Molly Picklum in the quarter-finals.
"This is the best feeling in the world, and I'm over the moon to have my first win here on the Gold Coast," said Sakura Johnson, competing in her second final after bursting on to the scene as a 16-year-old.
"This is what winning feels like, and I want to keep winning."
Fitzgibbons outscored Erin Brooks in the semi-finals earlier in the day, with the Canadian wunderkind eliminating six-time Gold Coast champion and eight-time world title holder Stephanie Gilmore in the quarters.
With Gilmore's former coach Jake Patterson in her corner, Brooks used superior wave selection to get the better of the Australian legend, who is due to return to the tour full-time next year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Struggling Wales hire Tandy as new head coach
Wales appointed Steve Tandy as their head coach on Monday, with the former Scotland assistant facing a major rebuilding job after his new team's record-setting decline. Tandy is tasked with reviving Wales' fortunes in time for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Wales were on a record 18-match losing run before finally ending that dismal streak on July 12 with a 31-22 victory over Japan in Kobe. Tandy will become the permanent successor to Warren Gatland on September 1 following almost six years as Scotland's defence coach. The 45-year-old Welshman's first match in charge will be on November 9 against Argentina in Cardiff. Wales also face Japan, New Zealand and world champions South Africa in the November internationals. "Becoming head coach of my home country is a massive honour and a privilege," Tandy said. "I am looking forward to playing a role in the rebuilding phase of Welsh rugby and taking the national team back to competing with the best countries in the world. "I am excited about the potential of Welsh rugby and the group of young, hardworking players we have." Tandy was head coach of Ospreys between 2012 and 2018, which included winning the PRO12 title in his first season, before serving as defence coach for Australian side the Waratahs. The former flanker was also part of Gatland's backroom staff for the British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa in 2021. Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney said: "This is a keystone appointment for us. Steve fits the bill in terms of the affinity he will be able to create with a young group of players with huge potential, but also the galvanising effect we know he can have on the whole rugby ecosystem as a proud Welshman." Gatland's second spell as Wales boss ended in February after a 22-15 defeat to Italy in the second round of the Six Nations. Matt Sherratt took over on a temporary basis and oversaw defeats by Ireland, Scotland and England before leading the two-match tour of Japan, which began on July 5 with a 24-19 loss in Kitakyushu before the losing streak was broken a week later. smg/lp
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ben Simmons Has Played Just 108 Games And Earned $1.36 Million Per Appearance Over The Last 4 Years
Ben Simmons Has Played Just 108 Games And Earned $1.36 Million Per Appearance Over The Last 4 Years originally appeared on Fadeaway World. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made headlines with a historic $285 million extension that will see him earn nearly $1 million per game by 2030, another former All-Star's name is trending for the opposite reason: Ben Simmons. Once hailed as the next great two-way star, Simmons' fall from grace has become one of the most staggering declines in recent NBA history. Over the last four years, the Australian point-forward has appeared in just 108 games but earned over $148 million in that span, amounting to a jaw-dropping $1.36 million per appearance. Here's a year-by-year breakdown of Simmons' earnings and game count: 2021–22: 0 games played - $34 million earned 2022–23: 42 games played - $35.4 million earned 2023–24: 15 games played - $37.8 million earned 2024–25: 51 games played - $40.3 million earned Total: 108 games - $147.5 million earned This isn't a tale of a role player riding the bench. Simmons was once an elite defender and high-IQ playmaker, a 6'10' point guard with the vision of Magic Johnson and the body of a modern big. A three-time All-Star, two-time All-Defensive First Team member, and 2019-20 All-NBA selection, Simmons earned his $177 million extension from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019. At that time, he was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and arguably one of the most valuable transition threats in the league. But the downfall came fast and hard. Following a disastrous 2021 playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, where he infamously passed up an open dunk in crunch time, Simmons sat out the entire 2021-22 season due to mental health and back issues. The Nets traded for him, believing he'd eventually return to form, but that optimism never paid off. What followed were seasons plagued by injuries, questionable effort, and underwhelming performances. His once-elite perimeter defense waned. His reluctance to shoot, particularly from outside the paint, became more glaring. And now, in the summer of 2025, Simmons remains a free agent with no takers. Simmons is reportedly seeking more than a league-minimum contract, but even that is proving a hard sell. While his size and defensive instincts still intrigue some teams, his health remains a red flag. His offensive limitations, including an unwillingness to even attempt jump shots, make him a tough fit in today's pace-and-space game. Meanwhile, players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are redefining the modern superstar. Shai just led the Thunder to their first-ever NBA title, won the MVP, scoring title, and both playoff MVP awards, and was rewarded with a deal that will pay him $78.8 million in the 2030–31 season alone. That's nearly $1 million every game. Simmons' career earnings will remain a cautionary tale, a player who once had all the tools but couldn't stay healthy or evolve. The NBA pays for production. And in Simmons' case, it paid for potential that never fully story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Monster Energy's Arisa Trew Takes First Place in Women's Skateboard Vert and Best Trick at Tony Hawk's Vert Alert 2025 in Salt Lake City
15-Year-Old Arisa Trew from Palm Beach, Australia, Wins Iconic Competition Third Consecutive Time 14-Year-Old Monster Army Rider Egoitz Bijueska from Spain Takes 3rd Place in Men's Competition SALT LAKE CITY, July 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Arisa does it again! Monster Energy congratulates team rider Arisa Trew on claiming first place in Women's Skateboard Vert at Tony Hawk's Vert Alert for the third consecutive time. In the annual halfpipe skateboarding contest hosted by skateboard icon Tony Hawk inside Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, the 15-year-old from Palm Beach, Australia, also secured the victory in the Women's Skateboard Vert Best Trick event. In the Men's Skateboard Vert final, 14-year-old Monster Army team rider Egoitz Bijueska from Bilbao, Spain, claimed third place in an elite field of competitors. From July 18-19, Tony Hawk's Vert Alert brought the world's best vertical skateboarders to Jon M. Huntsman Center at the University of Utah. Now in its fifth year, the grassroots event presented by the Utah Sports Commission featured competitions in Skateboard Vert and Best Trick. On Friday night, the crowd enjoyed a Skateboard Legends demo featuring trailblazers of the sport such as Christian Hosoi, Andy Macdonald, and event host Tony Hawk. In the Women's Skateboard Vert event on Saturday, eight finalists competed in a 25-minute jam session judged on best overall impression. Monster Energy's Trew dropped in as the top qualifier from Friday's semifinals, as well as the two-time defending champion in Skateboard Vert. Could the Australian skateboard phenomenon earn a threepeat victory? Heading into the final fully focused, Trew worked the large vertical ramp with a deep bag of tricks. In one of several perfect runs of the final, Trew strung together backside method air, alley-oop McTwist, body varial 540 melon, frontside bigspin varial over the channel, backside 540 melon, backside judo air, Madonna, kickflip Indy, frontside nosebone, Indy 360, switch McTwist, air to fakie, frontside Caballerial stalefish, frontside crooked fakie, and switch frontside rock. Trew also landed technical standouts, such as frontside rodeo 540, kickflip Indy fakie, and frontside Caballerial lien to tail, to raise the bar. When all was said and done, the judges named Trew the winner of the 2025 edition of Tony Hawk's Vert Alert and $10,000 in prize money. "It's really good, and I'm happy with how I skated today. It's just super cool being up here with a bunch of really good girls," said Monster Energy's Trew upon winning Tony Hawk's Vert Alert for the third consecutive time. Following her victory, Trew also dominated the Women's Best Trick event, which she already won at Tony Hawk's Vert Alert 2024. The trick that scored the win is a signature move: A perfectly executed switch McTwist, a trick pioneered by Tony Hawk and mastered by Trew as the only woman on the circuit, earned her the repeat victory and $1,000 in prize money. Recognized as a pacesetter of the progression in women's vertical skateboarding, Trew has made history as the first female athlete to land tricks including the 900-degree aerial. Trew now owns nine X Games medals, including a record-setting eight gold medals, as well as the gold medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics. In the heated Men's Skateboard Vert final, 14-year-old Monster Army rider Bijueska from Spain held his own amidst heavy competition. When the 25-minute jam session concluded, judges awarded the young upstart third place and $4,000 in prize money. Standout tricks for Bijueska included huge alley-oop Japan, McTwist melon, alley-oop heelflip Indy, kickflip Indy, McTwist, frontside nosegrind the channel, kickflip body varial Indy, 540 Indy, backside lipslide, Indy 360, and fakie 540 Weddle. Further highlights such as a 540 Indy over the channel, a kickflip varial Indy, and a stalefish McTwist, earned Bijueska a podium finish in his first-ever Tony Hawk's Vert Alert. In the Men's Best Trick event, Bijueska also stoked the crowd in Salt Lake City with a technical backside tailslide shove-it over the vert ramp's wide channel. Now that's how you debut at Tony Hawk's iconic contest! Visit for exclusive updates from the 2025 skateboard season, including photos, videos, and contest results as they happen. Follow Monster Energy on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. For interview or photo requests, contact Kim Dresser. About Monster EnergyBased in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes, and musicians represent. More than a drink, it's the way of life lived by athletes, bands, believers, and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at CONTACT: Kim Dresser C: (949) 300-5546 E: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Monster Energy Sign in to access your portfolio
