Trent Reinsmith
The 2022 World Surfing League season ended with Filipe Toledo winning his first men’s championship title. The 27-year-old Brazilian had an impressive run during most of the season. Toledo won two events and had three runner-up finishes, before he was knocked out in the elimination round of the second last event of the 2022 WSL season. However, Toledo bounced back to claim the title 2022 Rip Curl WSL Finals. holding off 2019 WSL champion, Italo Ferreira.
The 2023 WSL Championship Tour schedule starts in January with the Billabong Pro Pipeline in Hawaii. The season runs through September. ending with the Rip Curl WSL Finals at Lower Trestles in San Clemente, California.
Toledo looks to become the first men’s WSL champ to go back-to-back since John John Florence achieved that feat in 2016 and 2017.
Before we look at the pick to win the overall 2023 Men’s WSL Surf League Championship, check out our sportsbooks guide to get started on making the best WSL bets, and while you’re at it, take a look at the best sports betting apps and mobile options.
2023 WSL Men’s Championship picks
| To Win 2023 WSL Men's Championship |  |
| Gabriel Medina | +375 |
| Filipe Toledo | +450 |
| Jack Robinson | +550 |
| John John Florence | +550 |
| Italo Ferreira | +700 |
| Kanoa Igarashi | +1200 |
| Griffin Colapinto | +1200 |
| Ethan Ewing | +1400 |
| Yago Dora | +2000 |
| Kelly Slater | +3000 |
| Jordy Smith | +5000 |
| Barron Mamiya | +5000 |
| Kolohe Andino | +5000 |
| Samuel Pupo | +8000 |
| Miguel Pupo | +10000 |
| Caio Ibelli | +10000 |
| Callum Robson | +10000 |
| Matthew McGillivray | +10000 |
Filipe Toledo
Filipe Toledo came close to winning his first WSL title in 2021, but he fell to Gabriel Medina in the finals that year. This year, Toledo had his breakthrough, winning his first championship. A pro since 2013, Toledo had long been expected to claim a WSL crown.
It seems as if Toledo has reigned in the youthful exuberance that held him back in the past. However, he remains an aggressive surfer with a penchant for big moves. In addition to winning the 2022 championship, Toledo racked up a career-best 54,690 points to lead all men in 2022.
Gabriel Medina
Gabriel Medina missed the first five events of the 2022 WSL season while focusing on his mental health. The defending WSL men’s champ returned at the Quiksilver Pro G-Land. He finished third in that event. Medina, who also won world titles in 2014 and 2018, followed that with a third-place finish at Surf City El Salvador. The Brazilian followed that with a 17th-place effort at Oi Rio Pro. That’s where Medina’s 2022 season ended when an injured knee at the Rio Pro knocked him out for the rest of the year.
The 28-year-old is expected to return for the 2023 WSL Championship Tour. His comeback could lead to some heated competitions with Toledo.
Jack Robinson
At 24, Jack Robinson was in his second year in the WSL Championship Tour in 2022. The Australian finished second in points during the regular season with 51,345. Robinson placed third at the Rip Curl WSL Finals.
Robinson looked excellent in 2022. It seems as if the question when it comes to the young pro is when, not if, he will win a WSL men’s title. He had two first-place finishes during the 2022 season and one runner-up.
Our pick:
Gabriel Medina looked like he was going to make a run at defending his 2021 championship before injury knocked him out of the season. Not knowing what shape Medina’s knee is in gives me pause in picking him to win the 2023 WSL tour before the season starts.
I think the best bet for the 2023 WSL men’s champion is the man who finished as runner-up to Medina in 2021 and who won in 2022, Filipe Toledo.
Pick: Filipe Toledo to win the 2023 WSL Men’s Championship Tour title.
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