Evan Geiselman has taken the 2016 Ichinomiya Chiba Open, at Shida Point, in Japan.
The Floridian surfer, who barely escaped death at Pipeline last December, celebrated the most important trophy of his career so far in the largest event held in the Land of the Rising Sun in eight years.
Geiselman defeated the Italian star Leonardo Fioravanti in an tight final held in clean two-foot surf. Despite the small wave conditions, Evan found a last-minute gem that decided the event.
"The last two minutes out there... I had so many emotions going through my head. After what happened at Pipe, I'm so lucky to be surfing at all, so to win the biggest event of my career here in Japan is amazing," expressed Geiselman.
"This result, although tough for him to get another second, he is already half way to qualifying which is great for him. What happened to me and Leo at Pipe really puts things in perspective, so it's sick that we're both here, in Japan, healthy and surfing."
Leonardo Fioravanti is currently sitting at number one in the 2016 Men's Qualifying Series. Evan Geiselman jumped from 52nd to third. They are en route to the 2017 Dream Tour.
2016 Ichinomiya Chiba Open | Final
1. Evan Geiselman (USA),16.17
2. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), 14.33