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Reigning world champion Filipe Toledo missed his round 2 heat at the Pipe Pro yesterday after suffering from “food poisoning,” the WSL reported on social media.

Toledo was coming off a very poor showing in round 1, scoring 1,77 in his two best waves to lose to Samuel Pupo and Shion Crawford and had to face Seth Moniz and Deivid Silva.

The series did not take place and gave direct passage to Moniz and Silva.

The news was a bombshell on social media, sparking huge criticism towards the current champion, accusing him of being afraid to surf Pipe. It also sparked defenses from his followers and those close to him.

Filipe himself posted: “To the critics and world champions who comment on social media, believe what you want to believe. I'm not here to prove anything to you! My health is my priority. To those who root for me, thank you very much, we are together and hahaha, we will be back, better and stronger.”

Filipe Ananda Marcal's wife wrote a long message on the Instagram of the Brazilian website AOS Midia, saying that she can't believe how people are not aware that the comments of thousands of people against him affect her husband mentally.

In his Instagram stories, Filipe can be seen looking at the sea yesterday afternoon and then waxing his board while watching TV before his series. Finally, he is shown walking towards the championship with a board under his arm.