URBIZTONDO BEACH, San Juan, La Union, Philippines (Wednesday, January 24, 2024) - Urbiztondo Beach continued to provide pumping surf for the third straight day of competition at the 2024 La Union International Pro. A second full day of action in the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 event took place in wind-affected but fun three-to-five foot surf. Semifinalists were decided in both Men's and Women's divisions, with the Men's Round of 16 and Quarterfinals completed, along with the Women's Quarterfinals.
Though the Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event was once again called off for the day, that didn't keep the event's frontrunner, La Union local Rogelio ‘JR' Esquievel (PHL), out of the water. Esquievel powered through the second heat of the morning on his shortboard alongside fellow LQS competitor Dhany Widianto (INA), the pair knocking out current Asia Region QS rankings leader Keijiro Nishi (JPN) in the process.
Rogelio Jr Esquievel - WSL / Abdel Elecho
Coming out of the gates firing in his Quarterfinal match-up with 2023 Challenger Series surfer Kian Martin (SWE), Esquievel dropped an 8.50 in the first two minutes of the 35-minute heat and seemed destined for the Semifinals. Midway through however, Martin was able to deliver some magic of his own. Taking to the air with a tweaked reverse, the Swede, who was born and raised in Indonesia, earned a 7.25 and turned the heat. By the end the local needed just a 4.75 to advance, but was unable to find anything higher than a 3.95 after six attempts.
Fellow Filipino John Mark Tokong (PHL), the nation's first Challenger Series surfer, was able to find success after an intense battle with longtime Asia Region standout Joh Azuchi (JPN). Tokong also opened strong, posting the highest single wave score of the event, an 8.85. Azuchi fought back, building from a 6.50 to a 7.25, his surfing giving the impression that the required score was in reach, but Tokong maintained control and nailed the heat shut with an 8.25 in the final minute for a 17.10 heat total, the highest of the event so far.
"Joh is one of my idols," Tokong said. "Every time he does turns, it's so critical. The way he does bottom turns, it's like wow, so smooth. During my heat I felt really confident because I felt like I could do what he's doing, you know, like doing turns and maybe I could do some airs too. When I heard that score (for the 8.25) I was like what, really? I'm pretty excited for tomorrow. I think the swell's going to be dropping a little bit, so it should be good for more turns, or maybe some airs, hopefully."
Tokong will next face regional veteran Oney Anwar (INA), who took out defending event champion Ketut Agus (INA) in the final heat of the day, while Martin will come up against current No. 2 on the Asia Region QS rankings, Rinta Oooto (JPN), to complete a fully international Semifinal field.
Kana Nakashio - WSL / Abdel Elecho
Kana Nakashio (JPN) caught just two waves in her 35-minute Quarterfinal, but that was all she needed to advance to the Semifinals, earning an 8.25 on her opening ride and backing it up with a 7.50. Nakashio's sharp attack and patient approach paid dividends and her wave selection proved second-to-none.
Following that performance, Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) upped the ante however. After picking up a 7.25 early in the heat, the Olympic Bronze Medalist timed a critical hit on a large and looming closeout section to perfection. Tsuzuki earned a 9.00 for her efforts, posting the highest heat total of the event so far in the Women's QS, 16.25, and knocking out current No. 2 on the Asia Region QS rankings, Anon Matsuoka (JPN) in the process.
"I didn't expect to get a 9.00 but I'm so happy to get it," Tsuzuki said. "I was scared to hit the section, but I had to go, so yeah, I'm so happy. Anon is such a good surfer and I'm happy to compete with her. I'm enjoying competing with everyone and kind of pushing each other. I just want to keep pushing each other with scores."
Amuro Tsuzuki - WSL / Abdel Elecho
Though she has only surfed in two events in the Asia Region QS this season, Tsuzuki is rising fast in the rankings. The 22-year-old has made the Final in both events entered, winning the most recent QS 3000, the Siheung Korea Open. She is well-poised to do the same again here but will have to get past Nakashio in the Semifinals first.
Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN) and Sara Wakita (JPN) also both progressed to fill out the top side of the draw in the Semifinals as the battle for important rankings points to determine Challenger Series qualification continues when competition resumes.
All competitors in each division have been asked to be on standby tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. for a possible 7:30 a.m. start.
The 2024 La Union International Pro QS 3000 and LQS events will run from January 22 - 28 at Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, La Union, Philippines.
Qualifying Series Semifinalists Determined at 2024 La Union International Pro
WSL
URBIZTONDO BEACH, San Juan, La Union, Philippines (Wednesday, January 24, 2024) - Urbiztondo Beach continued to provide pumping surf for the third straight day of competition at the 2024 La Union International Pro. A second full day of action in the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 event took place in wind-affected but fun three-to-five foot surf. Semifinalists were decided in both Men's and Women's divisions, with the Men's Round of 16 and Quarterfinals completed, along with the Women's Quarterfinals.
Though the Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event was once again called off for the day, that didn't keep the event's frontrunner, La Union local Rogelio ‘JR' Esquievel (PHL), out of the water. Esquievel powered through the second heat of the morning on his shortboard alongside fellow LQS competitor Dhany Widianto (INA), the pair knocking out current Asia Region QS rankings leader Keijiro Nishi (JPN) in the process.
Coming out of the gates firing in his Quarterfinal match-up with 2023 Challenger Series surfer Kian Martin (SWE), Esquievel dropped an 8.50 in the first two minutes of the 35-minute heat and seemed destined for the Semifinals. Midway through however, Martin was able to deliver some magic of his own. Taking to the air with a tweaked reverse, the Swede, who was born and raised in Indonesia, earned a 7.25 and turned the heat. By the end the local needed just a 4.75 to advance, but was unable to find anything higher than a 3.95 after six attempts.
Fellow Filipino John Mark Tokong (PHL), the nation's first Challenger Series surfer, was able to find success after an intense battle with longtime Asia Region standout Joh Azuchi (JPN). Tokong also opened strong, posting the highest single wave score of the event, an 8.85. Azuchi fought back, building from a 6.50 to a 7.25, his surfing giving the impression that the required score was in reach, but Tokong maintained control and nailed the heat shut with an 8.25 in the final minute for a 17.10 heat total, the highest of the event so far.
"Joh is one of my idols," Tokong said. "Every time he does turns, it's so critical. The way he does bottom turns, it's like wow, so smooth. During my heat I felt really confident because I felt like I could do what he's doing, you know, like doing turns and maybe I could do some airs too. When I heard that score (for the 8.25) I was like what, really? I'm pretty excited for tomorrow. I think the swell's going to be dropping a little bit, so it should be good for more turns, or maybe some airs, hopefully."
Tokong will next face regional veteran Oney Anwar (INA), who took out defending event champion Ketut Agus (INA) in the final heat of the day, while Martin will come up against current No. 2 on the Asia Region QS rankings, Rinta Oooto (JPN), to complete a fully international Semifinal field.
Kana Nakashio (JPN) caught just two waves in her 35-minute Quarterfinal, but that was all she needed to advance to the Semifinals, earning an 8.25 on her opening ride and backing it up with a 7.50. Nakashio's sharp attack and patient approach paid dividends and her wave selection proved second-to-none.
Following that performance, Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) upped the ante however. After picking up a 7.25 early in the heat, the Olympic Bronze Medalist timed a critical hit on a large and looming closeout section to perfection. Tsuzuki earned a 9.00 for her efforts, posting the highest heat total of the event so far in the Women's QS, 16.25, and knocking out current No. 2 on the Asia Region QS rankings, Anon Matsuoka (JPN) in the process.
"I didn't expect to get a 9.00 but I'm so happy to get it," Tsuzuki said. "I was scared to hit the section, but I had to go, so yeah, I'm so happy. Anon is such a good surfer and I'm happy to compete with her. I'm enjoying competing with everyone and kind of pushing each other. I just want to keep pushing each other with scores."
Though she has only surfed in two events in the Asia Region QS this season, Tsuzuki is rising fast in the rankings. The 22-year-old has made the Final in both events entered, winning the most recent QS 3000, the Siheung Korea Open. She is well-poised to do the same again here but will have to get past Nakashio in the Semifinals first.
Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN) and Sara Wakita (JPN) also both progressed to fill out the top side of the draw in the Semifinals as the battle for important rankings points to determine Challenger Series qualification continues when competition resumes.
All competitors in each division have been asked to be on standby tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. for a possible 7:30 a.m. start.
The 2024 La Union International Pro QS 3000 and LQS events will run from January 22 - 28 at Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, La Union, Philippines.
Asia
Click here to view the Krui Pro 2024 Event Guide
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