Mahabalipuram
In a historic moment for the sport of surfing in India, the inaugural Tamil Nadu International Surf Open World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000 event witnessed Japanese surfers Sara Wakita and Tenshi Iwami emerge as champions. Mahabalipuram Beach provided the perfect setting for the event, with pumping three-foot surf conditions for the finals. Tenshi Iwami, one of the Japanese surfers, entered the competition with a strong desire for a significant result to boost his chances of qualifying for the 2024 WSL Challenger Series. During the final, Iwami faced strong competition from Kian Martin of Sweden. Despite facing challenges and falling behind in the early stages of the final, Iwami’s perseverance paid off. In the closing moments of the heat, he secured a set wave with priority and unleashed a series of impressive frontside turns. This performance earned him an 8.75 out of 10 for that wave, propelling him into the lead. With a total score of 16.30 out of a possible 20 for his two-wave combination, Iwami secured the highest single wave and overall score of the entire event. This victory not only marked a significant milestone in his career but also elevated him to the third spot in the WSL Asia Regional Rankings. Reflecting on his win, Iwami expressed his excitement and gratitude for the experience in India, highlighting his love for the waves, the people, the food, and the culture of the country. This victory will undoubtedly hold a special place in his surfing journey as his first QS win. The event showcased the growing prominence of surfing in India and celebrated the international spirit of the sport.
