With surfing's Olympic debut only a few short weeks away, South Africa's Jordy Smith has withdrawn from the Tokyo Olympics due to continued issues with a knee injury he sustained after the conclusion of the Championship Tour's four-stop Australia leg.
"It was tough to make the decision to withdraw. I've been looking forward to the Olympics a long time now and my build up was going so well," said Smith in a media statement released Friday and picked up by ESPN.
"However, this decision is the only way to ensure I have a long career in professional surfing and reach my ultimate goal of winning the WSL Championship Tour," he continued.
Smith, who was considered a favorite to medal in Tokyo, currently sits in seventh on the WSL Leaderboard after being forced to withdraw from the recent Surf Ranch Pro.
Victoria Bay's Bianca Buitendag will be the lone surfer representing South Africa in Japan. Buitendag's best season on the Championship Tour came in 2015 when she made two Finals and finished fourth in the world.
Smith's withdrawal means Italy's Leonardo Fioravanti will get his spot, according to the International Surfing Association.
"As per the Tokyo 2020 Alternates list published by the ISA, Fioravanti is the next eligible surfer to replace Smith via the qualification event from which Smith qualified: the 2019 WSL Championship Tour (CT)," the ISA said in a statement.
"The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) has accepted the qualification slot for Fioravanti, finalizing the process."
Fioravanti, who placed 31st on the 2019 WSL Championship Tour, secured his eligibility by competing at the recent ISA World Surfing Games in El Salvador, where he finished equal 19th.
Jordy Smith Withdraws From Tokyo Olympics, Replaced By Leonardo Fioravanti
Jake Howard
With surfing's Olympic debut only a few short weeks away, South Africa's Jordy Smith has withdrawn from the Tokyo Olympics due to continued issues with a knee injury he sustained after the conclusion of the Championship Tour's four-stop Australia leg.
"It was tough to make the decision to withdraw. I've been looking forward to the Olympics a long time now and my build up was going so well," said Smith in a media statement released Friday and picked up by ESPN.
"However, this decision is the only way to ensure I have a long career in professional surfing and reach my ultimate goal of winning the WSL Championship Tour," he continued.
Smith, who was considered a favorite to medal in Tokyo, currently sits in seventh on the WSL Leaderboard after being forced to withdraw from the recent Surf Ranch Pro.
Victoria Bay's Bianca Buitendag will be the lone surfer representing South Africa in Japan. Buitendag's best season on the Championship Tour came in 2015 when she made two Finals and finished fourth in the world.
Smith's withdrawal means Italy's Leonardo Fioravanti will get his spot, according to the International Surfing Association.
"As per the Tokyo 2020 Alternates list published by the ISA, Fioravanti is the next eligible surfer to replace Smith via the qualification event from which Smith qualified: the 2019 WSL Championship Tour (CT)," the ISA said in a statement.
"The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) has accepted the qualification slot for Fioravanti, finalizing the process."
Fioravanti, who placed 31st on the 2019 WSL Championship Tour, secured his eligibility by competing at the recent ISA World Surfing Games in El Salvador, where he finished equal 19th.
Jordy Smith
Experience Pays Off For Seasoned Competitors
Every excellent wave a.k.a. every 8.0 and up from the Surf City El Salvador Pro featuring surfing from Yago Dora, Carissa Moore, Stephanie
Every 8 and up aka all the excellent waves. Watch the CT put their rails to work at unruly and immaculate Main Break.
A moment generations in the making, the opening round of the Billabong Pro Pipeline ushers in a new era in professional surfing.
The Ballito Pro presented by O'Neill QS5,000 Finals Day
News
New Ultra-Premium Tequila for Adventurous Souls Takes The Trip of a Lifetime Adventure to Tahiti
The Caraïbos Lacanau Pro continues on Day 2 of the waiting period with the top seeded men's Round 3 in pumping surf and Europe's best
As condições do mar permanecem muito perigosas na quarta-feira.
A Strong SW/SSW Pulse With Potentially Favorable Winds Is En Route To Hit This Week, Building Throughout Wednesday/Thursday And Lasting
Competition Gets Underway in Fun Conditions, Week-Full of Activities Aside Main Surfing Action.