14-Year-Old Girl Becomes China’s First Olympic Surfer, 98% Spots Locked For Paris 2024

At the beginning of last week, there were eight and six remaining Olympic qualification spots for women and men respectively — to be handed out among the highest ranking eligible athletes at the ISA World Games in Puerto Rico. 

After getting through the opening five million, four-man heats – the final Olympic lineup is one surfer short of being completely locked. 

Ramzi Boukhaim (MAR), Rio Waida (IND), Joan Duru (FRA), Tim Elter (GER) and Alonso Correa (PER) have all sealed their spots in Tahiti after advancing through the draw. The only remaining spot up for grabs will be awarded to a surfer from France or Brazil, who have the opportunity to win an additional third spot for their team. 

• If Brazil wins: Yago Dora or Gabriel Medina get a Polynesian holiday
• If France wins: Marco Mignot gets to go on a cruise ship. 

Adding spice to the broth is the fact Gabriel Medina will take on both Marco Mignot and Joan Duru in Round 6 where the French surfers will have the chance to 1.) collude and overthrow Gabs using devious strategies and tactics to win the extra spot for Team France, or 2.) go for the heat win solo and blend (insert teammates name) chances of going to Tahiti into a bourguignon. 

On the women’s side, all eight spots have been locked up by Anat Lelior (ISR), Camilla Kemp (GER), Janire Gonzalez-Extabarri (ESP), Nadia Erostarbe (ESP), Sol Aguirre (PER), Tainá Hinckel (BRA), Yolanda Sequeira (POR) and Siqi Yang (CHN). 

Of note: no Sky Brown or Erin Brooks – can’t be long until we see one of them suddenly carrying a Trinidad passport.

Who Is Already Qualified?

2024 WSG

Men (5): Ramzi Boukhaim (MAR), Rio Waida (IND), Joan Duru (FRA), Tim Elter (GER), Alonso Correa (PER)

Women (8): Anat Lelior (ISR), Camilla Kemp (GER), Janire Gonzalez-Extabarri (ESP), Nadia Erostarbe (ESP), Sol Aguirre (PER), Tainá Hinckel (BRA), Yolanda Sequeira (POR), Siqi Yang (CHN).

2023 WSL CT

Men (10): John John Florence, Filipe Toledo, Ethan Ewing, Griffin Colapinto, Leo Fioravanti, João Chianca, Jack Robinson, Matt McGillivray, Jordy Smith, Kanoa Igarashi

Women (8): Tyler Wright, Carissa Moore, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Johanne Defay, Brisa Hennessy, Teresa Bonvalot, Caroline Marks, Molly Picklum

2023 World Surfing Games

Men (4): Alan Cleland, Reo Inaba, Kauli Vaast, Billy Stairmand

Women (4): Sarah Baum, Shino Matsuda, Vahine Fierro, Saffi Vette

2022 WSG Team Winners Slot

Men (1): Team Japan – TBD who they’ll give their third slot to (France or Brazil). 

Women (1): Caitlin Simmers; (Team USA used the 2023 WSL Tahiti Pro to determine this slot.)