2 August 2010, Canggu-Bali: In the intense 25 minute man-on-man final of the Oakley Pro Junior at Canggu Beach in Bali today, Putra Hermawan of Nusa Lembongan posted the highest single wave score of the event, a 9.5 out of a possible 10, to regain the lead and then claim victory over Agus Frimanto, who also hails from Nusa Lembongan.
After today's competition, Hermawan and Frimanto are now the number one and number two ranked surfers in the Coca-Cola ISC Pro Junior Division (surfers under 21 years of age). For their top finishes today and their already accumulated points in the ISC Pro Junior Division, both will receive entry into the coveted ASP sanctioned Oakley World Pro Junior Championships to be held at Keramas from October 2-13. The Oakley World Pro Junior boasts the richest prize purse in Pro Junior event history, with the winner coming home with a whopping US 20,000!
In addition, Hermawan takes home an Rp 8 million (USD $900) cash prize and Frimanto takes home Rp 5 million (USD $560). Equal third place finishers Gazali Hamzah (Sumbawa) and Darmaputra Tonjo (Bali) each received Rp 3 million (USD $340).
In arguably the most intense and fiercely contested match up of the entire event, Hermawan jumped out into the lead early and appeared to be well on his way to victory with two great scores (a 6.5 and a 7.5) until Frimanto jagged a large set wave and scored a 8.0 to add to a previous 6.0, leaving Hermawan needing better than a 6.5 to regain the lead. He waited patiently then took off on a medium sized wave and proceeded to launch and complete not only one but two air reverses, getting him a huge score off 9.5, the lead, and eventually the win.
As Hermawan recalled it afterwards, “ When Agus scored that 8 point wave and got ahead of me I knew I had to do something big, and with the strong winds blowing all I could thing of was to do a big air. So I took off on that next wave and was so stoked that it lined up for me. After I landed the first air I couldn’t believe there was a little ramp and the chance to do another one. I knew I had to go for it and make it or it was all over “ he said grinning. “I am sooooo happy….so lucky to get that wave…and that nothing else came in for Agus in the last minutes!” he added.
When asked what this win means to him he replied, “Its my biggest pro junior win for sure, and that’s why I wanted it so bad. Getting the money is great, but getting the win and the number one ranking is the best. Now I get to surf with the top pro juniors in the world in October, plus I hope to be the ISC pro junior champion this year!”
Runner up Frimanto was obviously disappointed, and actually shivering on the beach. When asked about the conditions and how he felt he replied, “It was very hard out there today…the water was cold, the current strong, and it was my third heat, so I was a bit tired I guess. But I’m ok with second place in the event…its not too bad right? And with this second place my ranking is number two so I get to surf the Oakley World pro junior event in October. So overall I’m pretty happy.”
Today was the conclusion of the Oakley Pro Junior 2010, where 25 of Indonesia’s top pro juniors came to compete for cash, ISC championship points, and a chance for entry into the Oakley World Pro Junior Championship contest that is taking place in October.
Today’s competition started after a heavy torrential downpour delayed the planned 7 am start until 8:30 am. The competitors had to contend with the nearby river spilling out slick muddy water into the lineup that acted like grease on their surfboards as well as strong currents and later on howling sideshore winds.
But though the weather and conditions may not have been ideal, Oakley Indonesia’s Sports and Alternate Marketing Manager Gino Andreas was more than happy with the results of the event, saying “that was the craziest final I’ve ever seen, and I couldn’t be more stoked about it. It was a tough day out there for the boys with the weather and wave conditions being what they were, but it was a great test and the two best competitors made it into the final. It’s an event Oakley can certainly be proud of, and now we’re looking forward to October and more great pro junior action.”
The 2010 Oakley ProJunior was sanctioned by the Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championship Tour and sponsored/supported by Extreme Toys, life., New Era, Firewire, 101.2 Oz Radio Bali, Lines Magazine and Surftime Magazine.
You review all the action including heat scores and heat draw, videos and photos at www.isctour.com/events/
Also check out the dedicated event site: www.oakleyprojunior.com and join Oakley Indonesia on Facebook: www.facebook.com/
2010 Oakley Pro Junior Contest Results:
1) Putra Hermawan (Nusa Lembongan) 7.5, 9.5 = 17.0 points
2) Agus Frimanto (Nusa Lembongan) 6.0, 8.0 = 14.0 points
3) Gazeli Hamzah (Sumbawa) and Darmaputra Tonjo (Bali)
For further details and high resolution photos please contact:
Oakley Indonesia
Gino Andrias
Sports and Alternate Marketing Manager
Ph: +62 8123 927 527
Email: gino@oakleyindonesia.com
Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championships
Tim Hain
Coca-Cola ISC Tour Media Director
Ph: +62 8123 606 674
Email: tim@isctour.com
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