Born and bred in Chiba, Japan, Hiroto’s abilities were first noticed when in 2013 he became the first Japanese to finish third in the World Junior titles. That he was defeated by the eventual winner, Gabriel Medina, showed the level of talent the natural footer had.

Hiroto backed that promise and exploded onto the world stage in 2015 when he completed a fairytale run from the trials to the podium at the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. From Surf City Japan to Surf City USA, the kid with lightning-fast rail work and an incredible aerial strike rate had well and truly arrived, becoming the first Japanese surfer ever to win the coveted QS 10,000 event.

He finished that year as no. 34 on the QS and in the following years remained a consistent and electric performer on the Tour, without quite achieving his ultimate goal of making the CT. In 2021 the 5’4” surfer managed to secure the last Olympic berth for the Tokyo Games at the ISA Games in El Salvador. With the contest venue at the very beach where he learned to surf, Ohhara could yet again be thrust into the brightest of the sport’s limelight.

Instagram: @hirotoohhara