RIO NATIVE BOUNCES BACK TO WIN THE 2009 RED BULL STREET STYLE NATIONAL FINAL IN BRAZIL

After missing the ’08 event due to injury, Arthur Mansilla clinches this year’s title and secures a spot in the World Final in South Africa.

He wasn’t even rated among the favorites, and for good reason: Rio de Janeiro native Arthur Mansilla broke his foot before the 2008 Red Bull Street Style National Final in Brazil and had to watch last year’s competition, won by Murilo Pitol, from the sidelines.

It was a different story 12 months later, however. Watched by 1,500 fans in front of Porto Alegre’s historic Gasômetro power plant this Sunday (Nov 15), Mansilla defeated reigning champion Pitol in the final round and took the ’09 title, earning the right to represent Brazil in the 2010 Red Bull Street Style World Final in South Africa.

“I was training real hard for the Street Style Final last year, but I broke my foot playing soccer less than a week before the event. I was very disappointed,” said the 19-year-old student. “That’s why today’s victory tastes so sweet.

“As for South Africa, I’ve seen footage of some of the other National Finals and I can tell the level will be very high. I’ll keep working hard and training four to five hours per day to represent Brazil in the best possible way next year”.

A conformed Pitol admitted his rival’s superiority: “I had nothing for Arthur today, he was simply spectacular in the last round. We’ll all be rooting for him in South Africa.”

Salvador native Pedro Soares took third, while local hero Jean Quadros had to settle for fourth. Legendary Gremio left-back Roger was one of the event’s judges, and summarized the mood of the day: “The skill and ball control these boys display is just mind-blowing,” offered the 1995 Copa Libertadores champion. “To me, nothing showcases Brazil’s artful approach to soccer like the Red Bull Street Style.”