| Miguel Pupo wins the Oakley Pro |
| Monday, 11 August 2008 09:22 |
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Miguel Pupo (Sao Paulo, BRA), 17, claimed the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Grade-1 Oakley Pro, his maiden title in front of a massive French crowd at Lacanau today. Pupo, who came all the way from Round 1, put on a show in the 30-minute final, taking the best out of the clean three to four foot (1 to 1.2 meter) waves to defeat Marc Lacomare (FRA), Thomas Fok Cheong (REU) and Charles Martin (GLP). "I am very happy because I aimed at qualifying for Bali and it is done," Lacomare said. "This competition was very tough. The surfing conditions changed a lot and I tried to adapt every day so I am stoked to get back home with this runner-up finish." Lacomare has been very consistent this year with two victories thus far including the ASP Grade-3 Rip Curl Pro Junior in Portugal and the ASP Grade-1 Vans Pro Junior in San Sebastian and placing equal 5th in the ASP Grade-2 Island Pro Junior in Sopelana last week. "There are two Pro Junior events remaining," Lacomare said. "Last year I missed my ASP World Junior Championships (WJC) ticket so I will do my best to stay in the Top 5 to win it and make sure i make it to Narrabeen." Lacomare will still have to secure at least one big result if he wants to keep any ASP European Junior crown hopes alive as Maxime Huscenot (REU) remains ahead after Lacanau. Thomas Fok Cheong (REU), 19, got a second consecutive excellent result reaching the semifinals to grab a 3rd place in the final. Fok Cheong got through six rounds but was unable to find any good enough scores to grab the crown. "Miguel (Pupo) and Marc (Lacomare) were amazing," Fok Cheong said. "I had some bombs in the heat but I did not make the best out of it and I could not catch up with any of them." Charles Martin (GLP), ASP World Pro Junior No. 3 and competing in his first event this summer due to school obligations and a recent injury, finished 4th in the final after displaying solid surfing in Quarterfinals and Semifinals. Martin, who knows he cannot hope for any Top 5 finish this year, entered the event to have fun and get back to competition. Europe’s best under-21 competitors will meet next in Portugal from August 21 to 24 for the Billabong Pro Junior, Stop No. 7 of 8 on the ASP European Pro Junior tour. Women will meet Monday, August 11 for the ASP Grade-1 Oakley Women’s Pro Junior at Lacanau. All results, news and photos available at www.aspeurope.com FINAL: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 17.16 pts, Marc Lacomare (FRA) 14.50 pts, Thomas Fok Cheong (REU) 11.00 pts, Charles Martin (GLP) 8.60 pts SEMIFINALS Heat 1: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 16.87 pts, Marc Lacomare (FRA) 11.67 pts, Mario Azurza (EUK) 9.34 pts, Adrien Toyon (REU) 8.86 pts Heat 2: Charles Martin (GLP) 16.50 pts, Thomas Fok Cheong (REU) 13.17 pts, Dimitri Ouvre (FRA) 8.24 pts, Kieren Bulard (REU) 8.00 pts QUARTERFINALS Heat 1: Marc Lacomare (FRA) 11.14 pts, Adrien Toyon (REU) 9.83 pts, Ormand Rangi (NZL) 9.67 pts, Felix Delanne (FRA) 7.77 pts Heat 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 14.50 pts, Mario Azurza (EUK) 12.73 pts, Maxime Huscenot (REU) 12.43 pts, Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 11.57 pts Heat 3: Dimitri Ouvre (FRA) 10.43 pts, Kieren Bulard (REU) 9.97 pts, Joachim Guichard (DEN) 9.27 pts, Jules Thomet (FRA) 8.80 pts Heat 4: Charles Martin (GLP) 15.73 pts, Thomas Fok Cheong (REU) 12.10 pts, Medi Veminardi (REU) 10.57 pts, Vincente Romero (ESP) 7.50 SOURCE: ASP
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| Last Updated on Monday, 11 August 2008 09:32 |
