Kanoa Igarashi is the first surfer locked into LA28
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SurfMAD! — Speed. Power. Flow.
Kanoa Igarashi just became the first surfer qualified for Los Angeles 2028. The Huntington Beach native who competes for Japan won gold at surfing’s first Asian Games, at Tahara’s Pacific Long Beach in Aichi.
He is also the first surfer booked for all three Olympic appearances — Tokyo 2020 (silver), Paris 2024, and now LA28 at Lower Trestles, near home.
The road was messy. He lost a non-elimination opener to teammate Connor O’Leary, then beat him in Round 3 with an 8.67. In the semis he posted an 18.33 with the event’s only perfect 10. In the final he beat Indonesia’s I Made Pajar Ariyana.
Japan doubled up: 18-year-old Mirai Ikeda won the women’s gold and also punched an LA28 ticket.
That’s the MAD! mindset — desire, eagerness, and enthusiasm when it counts.
Source: ISA