Namika Yamashita won the women's division at the 30th edition of the Sintra Bodyboard Pro Fest, defeating Brazil's Luna Hardman in the final at Praia Grande. The victory came on a Sunday that also saw France's Pierre-Louis Costes claim his sixth men's title at the oldest stop on the world bodyboarding circuit.
A Japanese first on historic sand
The final ran at Praia Grande, the beach that has hosted the sport's longest-running circuit stage for three decades. Yamashita topped a podium that included Hardman in second, while her compatriot Yuka Nishimura and Brazil's Neymara Carvalho shared third place.
The event was organised by the Sintra Municipal Council and the Bodyboard and Surf Association of the Sintra Coast.
Thirty years, one new name
The closing ceremony assembled local officials including councillors Andreia Bernardo and Eunice Baeta, SMAS de Sintra president Rui Caetano, and Colares parish council president Pedro Filipe. The municipal partner again contributed sustainability measures across the weekend.
Carving a place in the lineage
A discrepancy in the official results table lists the champion as "Yamashida," but both outlets carrying the press release name her Namika Yamashita in their reports. The spelling variant does not blur the outcome: a Japanese rider stood highest on the podium at bodyboarding's most enduring event.
The win delivers a landmark international trophy on one of the sport's most respected stages.
