Rio Waida won the allocation of a quota place for the Olympics' surfing after coming out as a runner-up at the 2019 ISA World Surfing Games in Miyazaki, Japan, according to ISA on its Instagram @isasurfing.
In the event, four male and female athletes who have the highest points from each continent, namely Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania are entitled to tickets to the Tokyo Olympics.
For the Asian zone, a place in the Tokyo Olympics was initially allocated for Japanese surfer, Shun Murakami.
However, Japan is certain that two of its athletes will pass at the 2021 ISA World Games in El Salvador which will be held on May 29-June 6 after Shun Murakami and his compatriot, Hiroto Ohhara, managed to advance to the final round of the championship which is the closing of the entire series of surfing qualifications leading to the Tokyo Olympics.
Hence, the slot obtained by Shun Murakami from the 2019 ISA World Surfing Games, is re-allocated for Rio Waida, who was the runner up of the 2019 ISA World Surfing Games.
Meanwhile, regarding the athlete quota, ISA has allocated 40 places - 20 for men and 20 for women, respectively in the Olympics. Each country can only send two representatives, respectively a male and a female, to the four-yearly sporting event.
Surfing is one of the debut sports at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which will be held next July. Two medals for the male and female categories respectively will be competed.
The Tokyo Olympic Surfing will be organized at Shidashita Beach which is located about 64 km from Tokyo.
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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
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