SARI OHHARA AND TRISTAN ROBERTS DOMINATED THE ABF 2023
This Sunday marks the event’s closing day, featuring the finals of the DROPKNEE and JUNIOR MEN divisions. Anticipate a genuine celebration at Playa Llacolén.
Playa Llacolén witnessed an unforgettable day this Saturday, marking the conclusion of the MEN and WOMEN divisions. The vibrant crowd that lined the coast enjoyed the multitude of heats that unfolded throughout the morning.
In the WOMEN division, Sari Ohhara from Japan competed against the renowned multi-champion and Bodyboarding legend, Neymara Carvalho from Brazil. The waves lived up to expectations, allowing both athletes to deliver an excellent performance. After 25 minutes of acrobatic maneuvers in the ocean, it was Sari Ohhara who emerged as the winner with a final score of 9.50, surpassing her rival’s 4.50.
After her participation, Ohhara received warm applause from the Antofagasta audience, who celebrated her as the newly crowned champion of the Antofagasta Bodyboard Festival (ABF) 2023. Expressing her gratitude, the Japanese athlete shared her joy and excitement about the result, saying “I am very happy and excited about this result. It is my second tournament of the year, and I feel extremely content with the outcomes. In the final, I was nervous because Neymara is a great competitor with many titles and vast experience. However, I managed to catch good waves and secure the victory. Now, I will enjoy my return to Japan, celebrate this triumph with family and friends, and prepare for the next challenges.”
Following the WOMEN’s round, the MEN division concluded with an intense heat between South African Tristan Roberts and Hawaiian Tanner McDaniel. Both competitors battled it out fiercely throughout the morning, starting from the quarterfinals, where local talents Sasha Damjanic and Manuel Cepeda were unfortunately eliminated.
The wave “La Cúpula” lived up to expectations and delivered an impressive showcase fitting for an exhilarating final. With his execution of outstanding maneuvers, Tristan Roberts secured victory with a narrow score of 15 points, surpassing McDaniel’s 12.50.
“I put all my energy into giving my best in this final. These are very challenging waves to maneuver, but I’m very happy because I managed to fulfill the task and deliver a good performance. Now it’s time to enjoy the victory and prepare for what lies ahead,” expressed Roberts in his official event interview.
Closing Sunday
The final day of the Antofagasta Bodyboard Festival is set to take place this Sunday, starting at 9:00 am, featuring the exciting finals of the DROPKNEE divisions. In one matchup, the Hawaiians Sammy Morretino and Dave Hubbard will go head-to-head, while in the following heat, the Reunion Islander Amaury Lavernhe will compete against the local Antofagasta talent and the sole remaining Chilean competitor, Manuel Cepeda. Additionally, the new JUNIOR MEN champion will be determined in the final showdown between the Brazilian Roger Fusculin and the Peruvian Micheel Yancce.
The sports celebration will come to a close with a range of surprises and activities specially planned for the Antofagasta community to enjoy a delightful time at Playa Llacolén. The event will feature gastronomic activities, dances, ecological workshops, and live musical performances following the award ceremony honoring the winners of the event.
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Press Release by Eric schnitzler and Ricardo Jeria
Date: May 27, 2023, from 6:50 am GMT -3
Location: Llacolen, Antofagasta,Chile
Wave: ” La Cupula de Poder”
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