URBIZTONDO BEACH, San Juan, La Union, Philippines (Tuesday, January 23, 2024) - A building three-to-four foot of swell delivered fun conditions on day two of competition at Urbiztondo Beach for the 2024 La Union International Pro World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 event. A full day of action saw Round of 40 and Round of 32 completed in the Men's, along with Round of 16 in the Women's. The Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event was called off for the day.
It was all about Japan as the Women's Round of 16 hit the water, with each of the 8 surfers progressing to the Quarterfinals representing the land of the rising sun.
Currently sitting at number 3 on the Asia Region QS rankings, Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN) topped the round, earning the highest single wave score of the event so far, a 9.00 (out of a possible 10). After coming around a large section, Tsuzuki sent spray flying through the air as she drove off the bottom straight into the lip with an intensely critical and dynamic turn. Backed up with a 6.50, her 15.50 (out of a possible 20) heat total was also the highest of the day.
"I was so surprised," Tsuzuki said. "But the waves are pretty perfect and then I had the good score, so I'm happy. It's my second time in La Union. I like the Philippines, the weather, the people, the food, I love it."
Current Asia Region QS rankings leader Sara Wakita (JPN) also claimed a heat win, as did Kana Nakashio (JPN) and Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN), while Sumomo Sato (JPN), Minami Nonaka (JPN), Anon Matsuoka (JPN) and Kaede Inoue (JPN) each progressed in their respective heats, lining up a full Japanese takeover of the Quarterfinals.
Qiu Zhuo - WSL / Abdel Elecho
The Men's Round of 40 saw some exciting moments, most notably when a priority error sent heat leader Aoi Oguri (JPN) to last place within the final minute. It also delivered the first of two heat wins for Qiu Zhuo (CHN) today.
The sole Chinese competitor in the draw, Zhuo is returning to competition for the first time since 2020. At that time, the then 16-year-old burst into international recognition after becoming the first Chinese surfer to progress through a major WSL QS event. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he has been unable to compete on the QS since then.
"I felt a little bit nervous at first, but it was alright actually after I caught my first wave," Zhuo said. "Everybody's giving me a good vibe and I'm just trying to join to this vibe, it's good. It's my first time in the Philippines and my first QS for three years already because it's been coronavirus and I cannot come out. But I'm making it out right now and trying to get back to this flow to try and compete and everything like this."
Oney Anwar - WSL / Abdel Elecho
The conditions deteriorated as the day progressed, with strong onshore winds adding significant texture to the wave faces, which continued to grow throughout the afternoon, as did the current. Those who were able to adapt found progression, but many struggled to find any scores of note.
Indonesia's Dhany Widianto (INA) and Oney Anwar (INA) broke through with big numbers, while current Asia QS Rankings leaders Keijiro Nishi (JPN) and Rinta Oooto (JPN) moved through in the same heat. Defending event champion Ketut Agus (INA) found a score in the dying seconds to escape the same fate as Tokyo 2020 Olympian Hiroto Ohhara (JPN), who faced a shock elimination.
It was Siargao Island's Eduardo Alciso (PHL) who earned the highest heat total of the day for the men however, 15.25. Competing in a QS at La Union for the first time, Alciso's large frame suited the conditions perfectly, allowing him to execute massive turns, which he was thrilled to be able to complete.
"After my first wave I didn't know that I had a big score," Alciso said. "My plan was to take good waves and make big maneuvers and to finish, just to be sure. If I saw the wave was longer or was still enough to make a score, I was just going to finish it. It didn't matter how far or how strong the current was. That's the game, you just have to make it."
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.
Japanese Women Dominate, Underdog Men Rise at 2024 La Union International Pro
WSL
URBIZTONDO BEACH, San Juan, La Union, Philippines (Tuesday, January 23, 2024) - A building three-to-four foot of swell delivered fun conditions on day two of competition at Urbiztondo Beach for the 2024 La Union International Pro World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 event. A full day of action saw Round of 40 and Round of 32 completed in the Men's, along with Round of 16 in the Women's. The Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event was called off for the day.
It was all about Japan as the Women's Round of 16 hit the water, with each of the 8 surfers progressing to the Quarterfinals representing the land of the rising sun.
Currently sitting at number 3 on the Asia Region QS rankings, Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN) topped the round, earning the highest single wave score of the event so far, a 9.00 (out of a possible 10). After coming around a large section, Tsuzuki sent spray flying through the air as she drove off the bottom straight into the lip with an intensely critical and dynamic turn. Backed up with a 6.50, her 15.50 (out of a possible 20) heat total was also the highest of the day.
"I was so surprised," Tsuzuki said. "But the waves are pretty perfect and then I had the good score, so I'm happy. It's my second time in La Union. I like the Philippines, the weather, the people, the food, I love it."
Current Asia Region QS rankings leader Sara Wakita (JPN) also claimed a heat win, as did Kana Nakashio (JPN) and Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN), while Sumomo Sato (JPN), Minami Nonaka (JPN), Anon Matsuoka (JPN) and Kaede Inoue (JPN) each progressed in their respective heats, lining up a full Japanese takeover of the Quarterfinals.
The Men's Round of 40 saw some exciting moments, most notably when a priority error sent heat leader Aoi Oguri (JPN) to last place within the final minute. It also delivered the first of two heat wins for Qiu Zhuo (CHN) today.
The sole Chinese competitor in the draw, Zhuo is returning to competition for the first time since 2020. At that time, the then 16-year-old burst into international recognition after becoming the first Chinese surfer to progress through a major WSL QS event. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he has been unable to compete on the QS since then.
"I felt a little bit nervous at first, but it was alright actually after I caught my first wave," Zhuo said. "Everybody's giving me a good vibe and I'm just trying to join to this vibe, it's good. It's my first time in the Philippines and my first QS for three years already because it's been coronavirus and I cannot come out. But I'm making it out right now and trying to get back to this flow to try and compete and everything like this."
The conditions deteriorated as the day progressed, with strong onshore winds adding significant texture to the wave faces, which continued to grow throughout the afternoon, as did the current. Those who were able to adapt found progression, but many struggled to find any scores of note.
Indonesia's Dhany Widianto (INA) and Oney Anwar (INA) broke through with big numbers, while current Asia QS Rankings leaders Keijiro Nishi (JPN) and Rinta Oooto (JPN) moved through in the same heat. Defending event champion Ketut Agus (INA) found a score in the dying seconds to escape the same fate as Tokyo 2020 Olympian Hiroto Ohhara (JPN), who faced a shock elimination.
It was Siargao Island's Eduardo Alciso (PHL) who earned the highest heat total of the day for the men however, 15.25. Competing in a QS at La Union for the first time, Alciso's large frame suited the conditions perfectly, allowing him to execute massive turns, which he was thrilled to be able to complete.
"After my first wave I didn't know that I had a big score," Alciso said. "My plan was to take good waves and make big maneuvers and to finish, just to be sure. If I saw the wave was longer or was still enough to make a score, I was just going to finish it. It didn't matter how far or how strong the current was. That's the game, you just have to make it."
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.
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