.png){kind=logo}
When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference.
These cookies are essential to enable user movement across our website and for providing access to features such as your profile. These cookies cannot be disabled. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information and cannot be used for marketing purposes.
These cookies allow us to analyze visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site and enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers, such as Google Analytics, whose services we have added to our pages. Information collected through these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly and/or we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts or content. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.
Top-Seeded Surfers Suffering from Testy Conditions in Japan
Tosh Omi
KUGENUMA BEACH, Shonan/Japan (Sunday, July 14, 2019) - The World Surf League (WSL) men's Qualifying Series (QS) Murasaki Shonan Open QS 1,500 supported by Nissan Caravan NV 350 got back underway with Round 3 and Round 4 Heats 1 - 4 action, but the day was cut short due to tough, two-foot conditions at Kugenuma Beach. Competitors still showed their prowess to compete at a high level as top-seeded surfers made their long-awaited debut.
Local hero Riki Horikoshi came out firing in Round 3 Heat 3 with a combination of 7.00 (out of a possible 10) and 5.90. Horikoshi channeled his hometown knowledge for two big heat wins in both Round 3 and 4 as he now finds himself into the Quarterfinals with a chance to bring the Murasaki Shonan Open title home.
"This is the only time the international tournament is coming to my hometown, and I want to win for that reason," Horikoshi said. "I finished in 9th place last year, so I want to get redemption this year. Because I always surf here more than anyone else, I know the waves well. I'm confident I can do better in the next heat."
The international contingent thrived in Round 3 with the likes of Slade Prestwich (ZAF), Sandon Whitaker (AUS), Cooper Davies (AUS), and Ryland Rubens (USA) all making it into Round 4. But, the challenging swell proved too much and all but Davies remain as he waits to surf his Round 4 heat.
Shun Murakami (JPN) showed his patience despite the inconsistent conditions and came away with a total score of 9.85. Murakami has proven himself around the world at different QS events and currently sits at No. 155 on the QS rankings to give himself a chance at entering the QS 6,000s at the mid-year cutoff that follows the Vans US Open of Surfing later this month.
"I want to compete in the QS 10,000s next year so I need a lot of points to get there but I'm in a good spot right now on the QS," Murakami said.
The event organizers will reconvene at 5:30am JST to determine a possible 5:45am JST start.
For more information, please visit www.WorldSurfLeague.com.
Hiroto Arai
The much-anticipated QS5,000 in Morocco is just around the corner.
The Azores Airlines Pro kicked off in rippable conditions as the first 12 heats of Round 1 of competition took to the water.
The talented regular foot tops a 32-man field to move into the main event.
The SEAT Pro Netanya culminates with Eithan Osborne's victory over Tristan Guilbaud in an exciting finals day.
The SEAT Pro Netanya resumes to complete two rounds of competition in challenging conditions and approaches the final rounds.
Murasaki Shonan Open
The 19-year-old took down an impressive Final in tough conditions at Kugenuma Beach for 1,500 valuable points.
MURASAKI SHONAN OPEN 2019 supported by NISSAN CARAVAN NV350 Teaser