240 athletes from 55 nations will pursue Olympic qualification
American Samoa, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, and Thailand to make World Surfing Games debut
Women set new participation records
A record-breaking 55 nations have confirmed their participation in the 2019 ISA World Surfing Games (WSG) presented by Vans.
Taking place September 7-15 in Miyazaki, Japan, the event will unite 240 athletes to pursue their dreams of qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The top eligible man and woman from Asia, Africa, Europe and Oceania will earn a slot at Surfing’s Olympic debut.
The previous record for competing nations was 47, set at the 2017 ISA World Surfing Games in Biarritz, France.
Among the unprecedented amount of nations are four nations competing in the event for the first time in history: American Samoa, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The standing record for women participation, which 93 athletes set in 2018, has also been surpassed, as 103 women will surf in the event, making up 43% of the total participants.
To view a full list of team rosters, click here.
The 2019 WSG is historic in that it will be the first edition to directly qualify surfers for Tokyo 2020. The event is part of a hierarchical qualification process that also includes the 2019 World Surf League Championship Tour, the 2020 ISA World Surfing Games, and the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.
To learn more about Surfing’s Olympic qualification process, click here.
The elite talent of Surfing is slated to compete in Miyazaki. Top surfers, such as Kelly Slater (USA), Carissa Moore (USA), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Julian Wilson (AUS), Gabriel Medina (BRA), Filipe Toledo (BRA), Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Jordy Smith (RSA), Johanne Defay (FRA), Jeremy Flores (FRA), and Michel Bourez (FRA), among others, will surf for their nations and go for Gold.
Both 2018 individual Gold Medalists will return to defend their Titles. Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons and Argentina’s Santiago Muñiz, both two-time WSG Champions, will look for their third Gold Medal.
Team Japan, who won their first Gold Medal at the 2018 edition held in Tahara, Japan, will be led by their 2018 Silver Medalist Kanoa Igarashi in their attempt to retain the Team Title.
Peru’s Lucca Mesinas and Daniella Rosas, the respective Men’s and Women’s Lima 2019 Pan American Games Gold Medalists, will both surf for their country of Peru.
ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:
“It is incredible to see that a record number of countries across all continents will come to Miyazaki to surf as national surfing teams. The visible growth in participation of non-traditional surfing nations is a direct consequence of the ISA’s strategy for the global development of the sport.
“With a record amount of national teams, participation of the top athletes of the sport, and Tokyo 2020 qualification in play, this is hands down the most significant World Surfing Games in history.
“I am also particularly proud to see that our efforts to promote gender equality are producing great results, as we will welcome a record amount of women in the event for the second consecutive year. Between offering equal competition slots for each gender and providing scholarships to young girls around the world, we have been fully committed to working towards a future that features 50/50 participation between men and women in Surfing.
“I am more than ready for nine days of passion, camaraderie, and inspired surfing with Tokyo 2020 in sight.”
