A Stepping Stone for Asia’s Top Surfers

The waves are pumping at Merewether Beach, Newcastle, Australia as the Burton Automotive Pro QS 5000 unfolds. This World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) event isn’t just another competition – it’s a crucial battleground for Asia’s top surfers.

The QS serves as a development league for aspiring professional surfers. By performing well in QS events, surfers accumulate points that go towards qualifying for the Challenger Series. The Challenger Series is a stepping stone to the elite World Championship Tour (CT), where the world’s best surfers battle for the coveted title.

This year, the Burton Automotive Pro QS 5000 holds particular weight for Asian surfers. It’s the final event of the 2023/2024 Australia/Oceania and Asia region QS season. A strong showing here can propel a surfer up the QS rankings and significantly increase their chances of reaching the Challenger Series.

Among the Asian surfers vying for glory in the Men’s event are Noah Arkfeld (PHI), Shohei Kato (JPN), Keijiro Nishi (JPN), Joh Zuchi (JPN), Daiki Tanaka (JPN), Rinta Oooto (JPN), Hiroto Ohhara (JPN), Raiha Onou (JPN), John Mark Tokong (PHI), Kyoshiro Suda (JPN), Tenshi Iwami (JPN), Taichi Hagita (JPN), Riaru Ito (JPN), Ketus Agus (IND) and Ryuichi Inoue (JPN).

Coming up in the Round of 32 is Sai Maniwa (JPN), Sara Wakita (JPN), Anon Matsuoka (JPN), Mirai Ikeda (JPN), Minami Nonaka (JPN), Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN) and Kana Nakashio (JPN).

With the waves in prime condition and careers on the line, the Burton Automotive Pro QS 5000 promises an exciting display of surfing talent. The outcome will be closely watched, not just for the individual surfers, but for the future of Asian professional surfing.

Current WSL Asia Women’s Rankings:

1st – Sara Wakita – 14,505pts
2nd – Anon Matsuoka – 13,128pts
3rd – Minami Nonaka – 11,787pts
4th – Nanaho Tsuzuki – 11,256pts
5th – Kana Nakashio – 11,073pts
6th – Amuro Tsuzuki – 10,550pts
7th – Sumomo Sato – 7,534pts
8th – Mirai Ikeda – 7,130pts
9th – Sky Brown – 6,931pts
10th – Shino Matsuda – 6,855pts

Current WSL Asia Men’s Rankings:

1st – Kian Martin – 10,210pts
2nd – Rinta Oooto – 9,538pts
3rd – Joh Azuchi – 9,503pts
4th – Hiroto Ohhara – 9,345pts
5th – Keijiro Nishi – 9,242pts
6th – Riaru Ito – 8,410pts
7th – Ketut Agus – 8,321pts
8th – John Mark Tokong – 8,290pts
9th – Shohei Kato – 7,898pts
10th – Raiha Onou – 7,553pts

Watch the World Surf League Burton Automotive Pro QS5000 live, here: Burton Automotive Pro & Newcastle Racecourse Women’s Pro 2024 | World Surf League

Find more surfing content on AsianSports, here: Surfing – Asian Sports Network