The 22-year-old athlete claims the prestigious title at the iconic Gran Canaria Frontón King, beating top competition in a thrilling showdown.
In a truly spectacular display of athleticism and determination, Armide Soliveres has become the first Spaniard to be crowned world champion in the bodyboarding men’s division. The 22-year-old rider secured his historic title on Sunday during the Gran Canaria Frontón King competition, the final event of the IBC World Tour. This legendary event, held in Gáldar, is renowned for determining world champions over the past decade, and this year was no exception.
Soliveres claimed his world title in dramatic fashion after his closest competitor, French rider Pierre Louis Costes, was defeated in his heat against fellow Frenchman Amaury Lavherne. Despite fierce competition, Soliveres held his nerve, earning his place in history as the first Spaniard to claim the bodyboarding world crown.
Lavherne, a two-time world champion, fell short in the final, where he was outperformed by South Africa’s Tristan Roberts. Known for his aerial prowess, Roberts claimed his third Gran Canaria Frontón King title, mirroring his past victories in 2019 and 2022.
In the junior category, another Canarian, Alexander Montes, added to the island’s celebrations by clinching the junior world championship title. Montes not only triumphed in the overall standings but also won the event, defeating Peru’s reigning champion, Michael Yancce, in a heated final. This victory secured a monumental double triumph for the Canary Islands, with Montes and Soliveres both standing at the pinnacle of the bodyboarding world for the first time.
The Gran Canaria Frontón King offered substantial rewards for its competitors, with $30,000 in prize money distributed among the top 32 riders in the men’s division, and an additional $10,000 awarded to the top 16 junior athletes.
A Champion’s Journey
Soliveres, a 22-year-old nursing student, began his world championship campaign with a second-place finish in Morocco, followed by ninth and fifth positions in two Chilean events, Iquique and Antofagasta. His perseverance paid off as he claimed back-to-back victories in Brazil’s Itacoatiara and the Maldives, before securing 17th place in Sintra, Portugal. These results positioned him as the favourite going into the final showdown at his home event, the Gran Canaria Frontón King.
Costes, a two-time world champion himself (2011 and 2016), needed to win the event to steal the crown from Soliveres. However, in his critical heat against Lavherne in round seven, Costes faltered, unable to find the high-scoring waves he needed to stay in contention. Lavherne, despite being a local hero after living in Gáldar for years, stayed focused on his personal goal of winning the event, delivering a masterclass of tube riding and manoeuvres to seal Costes’ fate.
As the final seconds of the heat ticked away, Soliveres, surrounded by friends and family, anxiously awaited the horn that would confirm his status as world champion. The moment was filled with elation as the Gran Canaria native celebrated his long-awaited triumph, a victory made all the sweeter by securing it on home soil.
This victory will undoubtedly go down in history, not just for Soliveres, but for Spanish bodyboarding, marking the rise of a new generation of champions from the Canary Islands.
