Olympics-Gold burnishes surfing's image in Brazilian heartland

Maria Clara Dornelas, 12, concentrates before competing at 'Maresia Pro' in Baia Formosa, hometown of Brazilian surfer Italo Ferreira who won gold medal at Tokyo 2020 Olympics, in Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil, August 1, 2021. Picture taken August 1, 2021. REUTERS/Rodolfo Buhrer

BAIA FORMOSA, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazil's Italo Ferreira won surfing's first ever Olympic gold in Tokyo, and if the reaction in his home town is anything to go by it won't be the last for one of the world’s top surf nations, where many are at home on the waves.

Young surfers in Baia Formosa, a small seaside resort on the unspoilt northeastern coast, have long been inspired by the new Olympic champion, and his medal given the sport added respectability.