Phil Rajzman is the new ASP World Longboarding Champion following his convincing victory in the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championships held at les Cavaliers, Anglet this weekend.

In defeating fellow countrymen Danilo Rodrigo in the final 15.00 to 12.30,
Rajzman also made professional surfing history by becoming Brazil’s first
ever ASP International World Champion. That is a stunning statistic
considering the long and successful history Brazilian surfers have had in
professional surfing.

“I am so proud right now,” said Rajzman just after his victory. “To be the
first ever Brazilian surfing world champion is something pretty special.
This is my best ever result and to do it here in France at an Oxbow event is
amazing.”

After his victory Rajzman acknowledged two important people in his life: “I had a baby daughter only two months ago so I think she helped send the
waves I needed to become world champion,” Rajzman said. “Also to have Alex
‘Picaruta’ Salazar on the beach, who is like my master and who gave me so
much strength and support was incredible.”

Salazar, the father figure in Brazilian surfing who has been runner up to
the world title a record three times, competed in this event and also played
a huge role in the other finalist Rodrigo’s life.

“Picaruta is like a father to me,” said Rodrigo. “He practically bought me
up and taught me everything I know about surfing. I surfed for him today as
well, but like him I also came second. Still, I am very proud of my result
and am happy there is now a world champion from Brazil.”

Rajzman had been one of the form surfers of the entire event and again
dominated the final. His highest scoring wave, an eight-point ride, featured
some huge modern top turns followed by a radical toes-on-the-nose spinning
‘helicopter’.

“Phil really deserves it,” said Nat Young, the four-time world longboard
champ and patron of the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship. “He surfed
so strong and is such a young guy and of course the Brazilians are a real
force in longboarding now, which is great to see.”

Earlier in the day Rajzman has defeated Carlos Bahia (BRA) in the first
semi final, while in the other semi, Rodrigo had overcome the only former
world champion still left in the event, Bonga Perkins (HAW). That set up the
all-Brazilian final and guaranteed that surfing history would be made.

“The support from Brazil, both here at the event and from emails and phone
calls from back home has been incredible,” said Rajzman. “This means a lot
to the people back home, and, of course, to me. I think we will all have a
big party when I return home.”

After the way he surfed in the event, the 2007 ASP International Men’s
Longboard World Champion deserves one. For more information go to
www.oxboworld.com

Oxbo Pro Final Results

Phil Rajzman (BRA) 15.00 d Rodrigo Danilo (BRA) 12.30

Semi finals

S1: Phil Rajzman (BRA) 15.00 d Roger “Carlos” Bahia (BRA) 13.75

S2: Rodrigo Danilo (BRA) 14.85 d Bonga Perkins (HAW) 12.00

Quarterfinals

QF3: Bonga Perkins (HAW) 11.60 d Jackson Close (AUS) 8.40

QF4: Danilo Rodrigo (HAW) 14.75 d Harvey Ingleby (AUS) 14.00