Australian, Brazilian surfers dominate Rio Pro

Felipe Toledo at the Rio Pro 2015

Rio de Janerio, May 17 (IANS) Australia and Brazil were both guaranteed representatives in the final of the Rio Pro after the completion of the quarterfinals at Barra da Tijuca beach on Saturday, a media report said on Sunday.

Brazil's Italo Ferreira defeated compatriot Jadson Andre to set up a semifinal clash with Felipe Toledo, who earlier ousted Ricardo Christie of New Zealand, Xinhua reported.

Bede Durbridge will face Matt Wilkinson in the other semifinal after they overcame fellow Australians Josh Kerr and Owen Wright respectively.

The event has been marked by pollution concerns at the main venue, which is near a lagoon filled with untreated sewage that flows into the Atlantic.

Local newspaper O Globo reported on Saturday that surfers Kelly Slater, Wiggolly Dantas, C.J. Hobgood and Filipe Toledo had suffered from nausea as a result of the conditions.

The World Surf League earlier this month ruled out the adjacent Sao Conrado beach as a backup venue for the event due to water quality concerns.