Japan has taken out the 2018 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, in Huntington Beach, USA.
The Japanese junior surfing team claimed their first-ever gold medal in the event organized by the International Surfing Association (ISA).
The Land of the Rising Sun won six medals across all four competitive divisions, including a gold medal in the Boys Under 18 category.
Keanu Kamiyama secured a historic trophy for his country, only a couple of year away from surfing's debut in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
"I am amazingly happy! For anyone in Japan who surfs, they now know that Japanese surfers are capable of a winning gold medal," expressed Kamiyama.
But the finals' day had another surprise waiting for the German flag.
Rachel Presti confirmed her dominant performance throughout the event and secured a memorable gold medal for the European nation in the Girls Under 18 division.
"I can't believe that one of my lifelong dreams came true. This first gold medal for Germany means a lot to me. I want to encourage people in Germany to start surfing," added Presti.
The event had over 1,000 participants from 44 countries, so there was one at least one man who was absolutely stoked.
"We had an amazing nine days of sun, no wind, and great waves. It was incredible. We had almost a quarter of the world in the water," concluded Fernando Aguerre, president of the ISA.
2018 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship | Results
Teams
1. Japan
2. USA
3. Australia
4. Hawaii
5. France
6. Spain
7. Brazil
8. South Africa
9. Germany
10. Portugal
Boys U-18
1. Keanu Kamiyama (JPN)
2. Joh Azuchi (JPN)
3. Luke John Slijpen (RSA)
4. Cole Houshmand (USA)
Girls U-18
1. Rachel Presti (GER)
2. Keala Tomoda Bannert (HAW)
3. Minami Nonaka (JPN)
4. Summer Macedo (HAW)
Boys U-16
1. Grayson Hinrichs (AUS)
2. Kade Matson (USA)
3. Levi Slawson (USA)
4. Riaru Ito (JPN)
Girls U-16
1. Caitlin Simmers (USA)
2. Shino Matsuda (JPN)
3. Sara Wakita (JPN)
4. Lucía Machado (ESP)