BARRA DA TIJUCA, Brazil, May 20 (UPI) -- Brazilian Adriano de Souza took the lead in the Association of Surfing Professionals point standings Friday by winning at the Billabong Pro Rio.
De Souza topped Australian Taj Burrow in 2-3 foot waves at Barra Da Tijuca and climbed to the top of the season standings after three of the 11 events on the ASP schedule.
"It's still very early … so I'm going to be pushing myself," the 24-year-old de Souza said. "Kelly Slater and all of these guys are such amazing surfers and have been on tour for such a long time but I'm going to try my best."
De Souza won several close heats on the final day of the competition and outscored Burrow in the finals 15.63 to 12.17.
Burrow scored a sizzling seven on his opening ride of the final heat but was unable to connect with a high-scoring second wave.
"Adriano had a good tactic in that heat and connected with two pretty good waves," he said. "I just couldn't find a wave out there."
