.png){kind=logo}
When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference.
These cookies are essential to enable user movement across our website and for providing access to features such as your profile. These cookies cannot be disabled. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information and cannot be used for marketing purposes.
These cookies allow us to analyze visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site and enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers, such as Google Analytics, whose services we have added to our pages. Information collected through these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly and/or we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts or content. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.
Men and Women's Fields Narrow at Ichinomiya
Andrew Nichols
The rains returned toward the end of men's Round 4 which looked to put an end to an otherwise massive day of competition, but the torrential downpour passed and the Gotcha Ichinomiya Chiba Open QS 1,000 women's event got back underway to decide their Quarterfinalists. Japan's brightest and best upcoming talents are all in attendance, and all are showcasing the future of their country's surfing in great form.
The next call for women will be that of finals day and a 2019 victor awaits crowning, meet your Round 2 victors who surged their way into the Quarterfinals.
Kana Nakashio's Jaw Dropping Performance
Nakashio looks unstoppable so far in the event with dominant performances in both of her heats. The 15-year-old continues to deliver the women's best surfing and garnered a near-perfect 9.33 (out of a possible 10) and 16.73 (out of a possible 20) -- both the women's best. Nakashio now resides in Ichinomiya after a devastating natural disaster required her to move. "That was really lucky and couldn't believe that wave came to me, I really enjoyed that one," Nakashio said. "I'd be really excited to win this event. I live here now so it would be really exciting to win this event for the hometown crowd. I'm originally from Sendai, North Japan, and unfortunately we've had tsunami and earthquake since 2011 so we had to leave."
Noteworthy Wins Complete Round 2
An in-form Sara Wakita topped defending event winner Shino Matsuda with a 14.53 heat total -- helping eliminate QS threat Minori Kawai (JPN). The current QS No. 7 already has a runner-up to her name behind Sage Erickson earlier this season and is feeding on that confidence.
"It would mean a lot to win this event since I have my background here and surfed here half my life," Wakita said. "I haven't won a QS yet so even a smaller event would be amazing. That result in Australia was my career best and to get a Final result, and get to compete against Sage Erickson was a great experience. My dreams are at the CT but I don't think my surfing is there yet so I want to improve my technique and heat strategy."
Also notching Round 2 wins Nao Omura and Amuro Tsuzuki.
"I waited in the beginning to get a good wave and it worked out to get that 8.00 so I was really happy," Omura said. "That rain was really heavy but there was still good conditions out there. I'm glad they didn't call it off for the day. I haven't been surfing home much after spending time in Australia so it's good to be back here."
"I was glad the weather turned around after it got really bad for a long time it felt like," Tsuzuki said. "It was good to go out and feel right back . My brother is over in Krui giving his best so I have to do the same. The support is amazing and I'm so thankful to feel that kind of push."
A 6:30 a.m. JST call will determine a start to either men's Round 5 or women's Quarterfinals.
Sara Wakita
Pair Claim Biggest Wins of Their Careers at Jinzun Harbor as Amuro Tsuzuki and Joel Vaughan Finish Runner's Up and Competitors Honour
Pair Win First Ever World Surf League Event in India as Shino Matsuda and Kian Martin Finish Runners-Up and Mahabalipuram Beach Turns on
Daiki Tanaka and Mirai Ikeda Finish Runners-Up as the WSL Asia Regional Rankings Begin to Take Shape Ahead of Challenger Series
Luana Silva takes on Sara Wakita, Sol Aguirre and Bettylou Sakura Johnson in an epic battle to round up Day 4 action at the MEO Vissla Pro
Check out some of the finest imagery from the last held Pantin Classic.
Ichinomiya Chiba Open
The Young and Tsuzuki emerged victorious at the Ichinomiya Chiba Open after battling their way to the top through talented fields.
From the heavy-hitters of former Championship Tour (CT) Connor O'Leary to defending women's winner Shino Matsuda, big performances ensued.
The men battled through their first two-man duals to determine Quarterfinalists as women are down to the final four.
Competitors performances wouldn't be dampened by persistent rain at the Ichinomiya Chiba Open and delivered more brilliance.
The fourth annual Ichinomiya Chiba Open is back and the fields are filled with world-class talent April 29 - May 5.