Team Japan made junior surfing history and earned their first-ever Team Gold Medal at the 2018 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship presented by Visit Huntington Beach.
Led by the individual Gold Medal performance by Boys U-18 competitor Keanu Kamiyama and four additional individual medals, Team Japan pushed ahead of Silver Medal Team USA to take the Junior Team World Title by a margin of 132 points.
Japan’s first-ever Junior Gold Medal performance comes shortly after a historic first Gold Medal for Team Japan in the World Surfing Games that took place in September in Tahara, Japan.
The exceptional performances by Team Japan across both open and junior divisions is a testimony to the extraordinary growth of Surfing in Japan since the sport’s inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Team Australia earned the Bronze Medal and Team Hawaii the Copper Medal.
Team Japan’s Gold Medal depended on the Boys U-18 final heat of the day featuring two Japanese athletes, Keanu Kamiyama and Joh Azuchi, and USA’s Cole Houshmand. Kamiyama and Azuchi shined in a closely-surfed heat and took the Gold and Silver Medals to lead Japan to the Gold. Houshmand earned the Copper, resulting in Team USA falling to the Silver Medal position.
Germany’s Rachel Presti made history in the Girls U-18 Division and earned the first-ever ISA medal for Germany across any discipline.
The final day of competition at Huntington Beach Pier saw the Main Event Final, Repechage Final and Grand Final take place across Boys and Girls U-16 and U-18 Divisions.
The Girls U-16 Grand Final kicked off with a bang as USA’s 13-year-old Caitlin Simmers posted the highest wave score of the day with 9.17. The Japanese duo Shino Matsuda and Sara Wakita were never able to catch Simmers after her blazing start, finishing with the Silver and Bronze Medals, respectively. Spain’s Lucía Machado earned the Copper.
“It feels so good,” said Simmers. “Team USA is really supportive. It’s an honor to be a part of the team.
“This is my biggest win. Since Surfing is in the Olympics, that is a new goal for me to strive for.”
Australia’s Grayson Hinrichs put on a show in the Boys U-16 Final. He jumped out to an early lead with a solid 7.5 and then waited until the dying minutes of the heat to earn his highest score of 8.6 to take the Gold Medal. USA’s Kade Matson and Levi Slawson respectively earned the Silver and Bronze Medals. Japan’s Riaru Ito finished with the Copper.
“This is the best feeling of my life,” said Hinrichs. “I’ve never dreamed of this happening.
“It’s the biggest boost of confidence to think that all the top surfers have won this event, and now I have done it too.”
Germany’s Rachel Presti continued her standout performance throughout the whole event and earned the Gold in the Girls U-18. Hawaii’s Keala Tomoda Bannert earned the top performance for Team Hawaii with the Silver Medal, followed by Japan’s Minami Nonaka with the Bronze. Summer Macedo’s efforts to earn her second ISA Junior Gold came to an end despite great performances in the event, earning the Copper Medal.
“I am really happy to take it home for Germany,” said Presti. “This first Gold for Germany means a lot. I want to encourage other people in Germany to surf and bring it to a global stage.”
The Boys U-18 Final capped off the day, where Japan’s Kamiyama paved the path to the Gold Medal for his team. Japan’s Joh Azuchi, the 2017 Boys U-16 Gold Medalist, followed his teammate Kamiyama with the Silver Medal in an emotional display of team camaraderie. South Africa’s Luke John Slijpen earned the Bronze and USA’s Cole Houshmand the Copper.
“I am amazingly happy!” said Kamiyama. “For anyone in Japan who surfs, they now know that Japanese surfers are capable of a Gold Medal.”
“The words that I have right now are thank you,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre.
“Thank you to our Title Sponsor Vissla for believing in the power of Junior Surfing and thank you to Visit Huntington Beach for opening their arms for these over 1,000 visitors from around the world.
“We had an amazing nine days of sun, no wind, and great waves. It was incredible.
“This was a historic VISSLA ISA Juniors. We have 44 countries represented, almost a quarter of the world, and we had the first edition to feature a gender equality format for boys and girls.
“Keep an eye out for these young athletes in the lead up to the Tokyo 2020 Games, because we could very well see them surfing on the world’s greatest stage in sport.”
VISSLA Founder and CEO Paul Naude said:
“It was an incredible week with many inspiring performances. I think the future of surfing is in great hands. It’s amazing to see countries that over the years come back to compete and continually advance.
“A huge thank you to the people of Huntington Beach for sharing your break with us.”
President and CEO of Visit Huntington Beach Kelly Miller said:
“We promised great surf and sun, and we got it. We said that you would meet new friends and that you would have memories surfing at this historical pier, and you got it. We hope to see you again soon in Huntington Beach.”
Team Ranking
Gold – Japan
Silver – USA
Bronze – Australia
Copper – Hawaii
5 – France
6 – Spain
7 – Brazil
8 – South Africa
9 – Germany
10 – Portugal
To view the full team rankings, click here.
Girls U-16
Gold – Caitlin Simmers (USA)
Silver – Shino Matsuda (JPN)
Bronze – Sara Wakita (JPN)
Copper – Lucía Machado (ESP)
Boys U-16
Gold – Grayson Hinrichs (AUS)
Silver – Kade Matson (USA)
Bronze – Levi Slawson (USA)
Copper – Riaru Ito (JPN)
Girls U-18
Gold – Rachel Presti (GER)
Silver – Keala Tomoda Bannert (HAW)
Bronze – Minami Nonaka (JPN)
Copper – Summer Macedo (HAW)
Boys U-18
Gold – Keanu Kamiyama (JPN)
Silver – Joh Azuchi (JPN)
Bronze – Luke John Slijpen (RSA)
Copper – Cole Houshmand (USA)