RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – JUNE 23: Jordy Smith of South Africa finishes runner-up in the 2019 Oi Rio Pro after placing second in the final at Barrinha, Saquarema on June 23, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Damien Poullenot/WSL via Getty Images)
SA surf ace Jordy Smith secures historic Olympic qualification
Jordy Smith has qualified through the
World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) to represent South Africa at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic
Games.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – JUNE 23: Jordy Smith of South Africa finishes runner-up in the 2019 Oi Rio Pro after placing second in the final at Barrinha, Saquarema on June 23, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Damien Poullenot/WSL via Getty Images)
Champion surfer Jordy Smith has secured a maiden Olympic qualification, with surfing set to make its debut in Tokyo in 2020′
The 31-year-old guaranteed himself a top-10 spot in the World Surf League Championship Tour after turning up in the Quicksilver Pro France.
Jordy Smith close to realising Olympic dream
He will compete in the event’s Round of 16 heats against one of the locals in Jeremy Flores, but has already secured a provisional place to appear in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
He now waits on South Africa’s Olympic committee to give him the green light to make history as one of the first surfers in history to compete at the prestigious event.
The first 18 qualifiers will make up a line-up consisting of 10 men and eight women, determined by the rankings, and whether each surfers meet eligibility requirements, including being selected by their respective country’s Olympic committee.
A maximum of two men and as many women can represent each country at the Olympics.
Out of the surfers to secure qualification, Smith is the first and only South African so far. The list of qualifiers mostly dominated by Brazilians, Australians and Americans, which three Frenchmen, including Flores.
Also set for an appearance at the Olympics is Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi, as well as Brisa Hennessey from Costa Rica.
The World Surf League Championship Tour is currently in France for the Quicksilver Pro and the women’s Roxy Pro. The events run between 3-13 October 2019, followed by the MEO Rip Tour Portugal, which takes place three days later and runs until 28 October.
Making waves
Smith joined the elite tour in 2006, and has since collected six victories.
This was after emerging as a rising star in the circuit by winning the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championships in 2003.
He announced himself in the big time 2007 – then aged just 19 – when he won the WQS (World Qualifying Series) to qualify for the elite ASP World Tour.
Prior to qualifying for the Olympics, Smith made no secret of his desire to make history for South Africa.
“To be the first South African surfer to go would be a great honour, and I’m working towards that goal,” said Smith in an interview.
Jordy Smith
